What's the difference between the "regular" Jewish religion and the Orthodox Jewish religion?

Question

When did this take place, and why?
I've seen tv shows that show Orthodox Jewish men dressed in black suits with full beards and ringlets of hair near their sideburns. But that's the outwardly appearance. What's the difference between the faiths? (celebrations, doctrine, etc.)

I'd love to hear from Jewish people, but anyone with an honest serious answer is welcome to answer.

Thanks for the answers so far.

Answer 1

Orthodox Jews have a deeper connection to G-d by performing his commandments and maintaining a continuous connection via prayer and rituals. They are concious of their relationship with G-d and strive to come closer to Him.

"Regular" Jews, or less observant Jews, may keep some of the tradition in a 'watered-down' way, but are missing out on a lot without even knowing it. Reform, Conservative, Reconstructioinist, etc. are all breakways from Orthodoxy.


When did this take place and why?
The roots of Reform/Liberal/Progressive Judaism lie in Germany, where, between 1810 and 1820, congregations in Seesen, Hamburg, and Berlin instituted fundamental changes in traditional Jewish practices and beliefs, such as mixed seating, the use of German in services, single-day observance of festivals, and use of a cantor/choir.

American Reform Judaism began as these German "reformers" immigrated to American in the mid-1800s. Reform rapidly became the dominant belief systems of American Jews of the time. It was a national phenomenon. The first "Reform" group was formed by a number of individuals that split from Cong. Beth Elohim in Charleston SC.

In response to Haskalah and Jewish emancipation, elements within German Jewry sought to reform Jewish belief and practice. In light of modern scholarship, they denied divine authorship of the Torah, declared only those biblical laws that are easily understood to be binding, and stated that the rest of Halakhah (Jewish law) need no longer be viewed as normative. Circumcision was abandoned, rabbis wore vestments modeled after Protestant ministers, and instrumental accompaniment --- banned by Halakhah in Jewish Sabbath worship --- reappeared in Reform synagogues, most often in the form of a pipe organ (with most scores arranged by the composer Louis Lewandowski), to model what appeared in churches. The traditional Hebrew prayer book (the Siddur) was replaced with a German text which truncated or altogether excised some parts of the traditional service. Reform Synagogues began to be called Temples, a term reserved in more traditional Judaism for the Temple in Jerusalem. The practice of Kashrut (keeping kosher) was abandoned. The early Reform movement renounced Zionism and declared Germany to be its new Zion. Many of the more radical departures from traditional Jewish practices were later repudiated or modified by adherents of Reform Judaism, while many principles continue to define the modern denomination.

Conservative Judaism has its roots in the school of thought known as Positive-Historical Judaism, developed in 1850s Germany as a reaction to the more liberal religious positions taken by Reform Judaism. The term conservative was meant to signify that Jews should attempt to conserve Jewish tradition, rather than reform or abandon it, and does not imply the movement's adherents are politically conservative. Because of this potential for confusion, a number of Conservative rabbis have proposed renaming the movement, and outside of the United States of America it is known as Masorti Judaism (Hebrew for "Traditional").

Reconstructionism was developed by Rabbis Mordecai Kaplan (1881–1983) and Ira Eisenstein over a period of time spanning from the late 1920s to the 1940s. It formally became a distinct denomination within Judaism with the foundation of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1968.

Answer 2

There has been different secs of Judaism since Moses died the Orthodox is the closest to the Moses brand you could probably get today. They keep the Torah as well as man can. I am a Messianic Jew if I didn't believe in Yeshua as the Meshiak I would be a Orthodox Jew myself even though I was not raised as one. I was raised as a secular Jew. I have the beard long side locks and I wear the talis katan. I just don't wear the black so no one will think I am Orthodox when I am not. I hope this helps some.

Answer 3

It's not like Christian sects. These aren't different denominations, more like a matter of degree to which they follow the rules. The Orthodox Jews follow much more strictly all of the rules and traditions. The Conservative Jews follow many, but not nearly as many. The Reform Jews follow very few of the rules. All try to follow the moral guidelines. But, for instance, on the rules of Kosher the Orthodox follow all the rules very carefully whenever they eat. Some Conservative Jews will keep kosher at home but not when they eat out. Reform Jews might follow none of the rules or just not eat pork. It's not like they are different religions, more a matter of degree of the same religion.

Answer 4

In Insreal they don't recognize different branches of judisim - they are either secular or practicing jews. In the U..S in the early 1900s, judisim split into different areas depending upon how closely they follow the scripture.
1) Hasidic - very religious - every bite of food they eat is affected by religion
2) orthodox: mostly the same
3) Conservative: less so - there are women rabbis and egalitarian worship, formal celebration of high holidays
4) reform: very laid back, female and gay rabbis, language in service is english and gender neutral.
5) Reconstructionist: sort of a hodge podge of very religios and not so much - ordain gay rabbis, etc, but follow scripture closely.

Answer 5

The Orthodox is the Jewish religion. The others are products of the German Enlightenment and are fizzling out as they have nothing.

Answer 6

I'm not sure exactly what defines what, but orthodox jews are very religious, while 'regular' jews don't typically follow all jewish doctrines.

Answer 7

Orthodox Jews wear symbols of their faith all the time.