Orthodox Judaism Conservative Judaism
History The Orthodox movement
emerged in the 29th century in
Bratislava, in present day
Slovakia, with Rabbi Moses Soffer
calling on all traditional Jews to
uphold the customary beliefs and
practices of Judaism.
Governing Principles Adherence to both the Written
and Oral Torah. Orthodox
Judaism believes that both come
from God and must be obeyed
Views on God Orthodox Judaism affirms
monotheism, or the belief in one
God
Interpretation of texts and laws Believes that both the Written
and Oral Torah are of divine
origin, and represent the word of
God. This is similar to the view of
the Conservative movement, but
the Orthodox movement holds
that such information (
except for scribal errors) is the
exact word of God and does not
represent any human creativity or
influence
continuation of main sects...
Role of Women Men and women sit separately in
the synagogue. Women are not
ordained as rabbits, nor do they
count in the minyan
(core group of ten necessary for
public prayers) . while the
synagogue is the domain of men,
the home clearly in the domain
of women.
Women are primarily responsible
for ritual and purity by faithfully
upholding the laws of
niddah(separation laws)
View of Jerusalem Jerusalem is the holiest or most
sacred city
Language Synagogues services are
conducted in Hebrew.
Reform Judaism
The principal founders of
Conservative Judaism were
Zecharias Frankel who founded
the Jewish Theological Seminay of
Breslau in 1854 and Solomon
Schechter.
Emphasizes the importance of
traditional Jewish texts to guide
ethics and practice
There is only one God and God
provides standards of right and
wrong that people should follow.
Conservative Judaism teaches
that studying the Hebrew Bible
and other Jewish texts leads to
wisdom and good deeds so
Jewish culture emphasizes the
importance of learning.
Modern Jews should study the
Torah in harmony with their
mental world and not solely
through the eyes of their
ancestors. The conservative
movement practices traditional
Judaism, but interprets Jewish
teaching in the light of the
contemporary knowledge and
scholarship.
Conservative Judaism allows
gradual change in law and
practice, but only if the changes
in the harmony with Jewish
traditions.
Men and women sit together in
synagogues. In many
conservative congregations they
participate in the choirs.
Teat others well, including
women.
The land of Israel is the most
important spiritual center. The
daily prayers address the
importance of the Land of Israel
to the Jewish past and future.
Hebrew is the predominant
language but the native language
of the worshipers is used as well.
It started in the 1800s in
Germany and encouraged the
examination of religion with an
eye toward nationality and
egalitarianism.
Allows for substantial
individualism, but requires basic
principles to be followed or
accepted, e.g., the Torah is
divinely inspired but written by
humans.
There is only one God. The
doctrine of the One, living God,
who rules the world through law
and love
Believes that the Torah was
written hands, in the language of
its time, with device inspiration.
Teaches that Judaism ethicallaws
are binding whileritual laws can
be adopted to fit modern
society. It favors on individual
choice over obligatory beliefs
and practices.
The interpretations of the Torah
is continuous and must be
adopted to new circumstances
and challenges.
Women are allowed to
participate in ordained roles and
men and women are not
separated in meetings. The sexes
are to be treated equally.
Women are allowed to
participate fully in worship and in
leadership as rabbits, cantors,
and presidents.
View of Jerusalem
Jerusalem is not a physical place,
but a place of ethical values
rooted deeply within the hearts
of the Jewish people all over the
world.
Use the native language of the
congregants as well.
Belief that the process of
reinterpretation of the Torah to
the language of today is ongoing.
and that every Jewish has a stake
and a role in the restatement and
extension.