So am I to understand there are 3?

Question

branches of Judaism? Conservative(reformed), Messianic, and orthodox?

Answer 1

Jews are divided according to their beliefs and practices and according to their racial origins, as either having roots in central Europe (Ashkenazi Jews) or Spain and the Middle East (Sephardi Jews). The main divisions of belief and practice are as follows:

Orthodox and 'Ultra-Orthodox' Jews

Orthodox Jews follow the original teachings and traditions of the faith closely.

They believe that the Torah and the Talmud were given by God directly to the Jewish People in, and so they regard these documents as being God's actual words and of the highest authority, in setting down the traditions and laws of Judaism

Orthodox Jews are the biggest group in most countries outside the USA.

"Ultra-Orthodox" Jews obey religious laws very strictly.

They live in separate communities and follow their own customs. To some extent they keep apart from the world around them.

The Ultra-Orthodox are one of the fastest growing groups of the Jewish people.

"Ultra-Orthodox" is not a term that Jews like very much, and it is more acceptable to use the word "Haredi".

Conservative (also called Masorti) Jews fall somewhere between Orthodox and Reform Jews

Hasidic Jews

Hasidic Jews are a sub-group of Haredi Jews, but the two terms are not interchangeable.

The essential elements of Hasidic Judaism are the high importance given to mysticism rather than learning, and the reverence given to the leader of each of the many sects within the movement.

Hasidism began in Poland in the 18th Century. Hasidic Jews were almost completely wiped out in Europe in the Holocaust.

[Note: "Hasidic" is often spelled "Chasidic", and it's worth using both versions, and a double "s" as well when doing online searches.]

Reform Jews and Humanistic Judaism

Reform Jews have adapted their faith and customs to modern life, and incorporated the discoveries that modern scholarship has made about the early Jews. The Reform movement began in Germany in the early 19th Century.

They do not regard the Torah and Talmud as the actual words of God, but as words written by human beings inspired by God.

Reform Jews believe that because the words of these texts were not directly given by God, they can be reinterpreted to suit the conditions of a particular time and place. So, for example, men and women can sit together in a Reform synagogue, when they would be rigorously segregated in an Orthodox synagogue.

However, there are still many elements of Judaism that Reform Jews regard as unchangeable, even though they may be less observant in many other areas of belief.

A particular feature of Reform Judaism is a strong belief in the importance of creating a just society, and many Reform Jews have been in the forefront of political activism.

Reform Jews are the largest group in the USA, where there is currently a gentle movement back towards traditional practices in worship.

Reform Judaism is strong in Britain, where it is much more traditional than the USA version. The closest British equivalent to US Reform Judaism is the Liberal movement.

Reconstructionist and Humanistic Judaism are modern American movements. They are particularly attractive to those Jews who are uncomfortable with the supernatural elements of the other types of Judaism.

Answer 2

Messianic Jews are NOT Jews. They are Jews that have converted to Christianity and therefore are Christians. They are no longer Jews-no matter what they call themselves.

There are 3 main branches of Judaism:
Orthodox
Conservative
Reform

There is also a smaller group called Reconstructionists, tho, they are never mentioned in the branches, for some reason. They are a much newer concept.

There are different forms of Orthodoxy----each having their own strictness and ideas of practice.

Each congregation has it's own governing body-so each may be different from the other-in all branches.

Answer 3

I haven't read the other answers so I hope this isn't redundant.
There are 4 "branches" in Judaism, but each has a range of beliefs and manifestations -- a spectrum within a spectrum

Orthodox (goes from Ultra orthodox, haredi, chassidish (lubav and satmar among others) to yeshivish, to modern to traditional

Conservative -- from traditional to egalitarian

reform

Reconstructionist

each has a different view of the role and origin of the torah text and the laws, and of the purpose of religion and the future role of the jews

messianic=christian

Answer 4

Messianic "Judaism"

is 100% theologically identical to Protestant Christianity.

The only difference is that they observe a few token holidays in their own way. I have spoken to Messianic Jews they are no differeant from Protestant Christians

Answer 5

No, these are the three branches: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform.

Messianic Jews can be found in all categories and are those Jews who are still actively awaiting a Messiah who will fulfill their scripture and lead them to victory and the promised land.

Answer 6

There are several different forms of Judaism. There is the joke "ask 10 jews a question and you will get 11 opinions."

There are Jews by birth, there are jews who practise judaism, there are jews that practise the Kabbalah, there are the ultra orthodox, and there are jews who do not practise any religion.

Answer 7

Those are the 3 BASIC branches.

Answer 8

Messianic Jews are Christians, they believe in Jesus. www.jewsforjesus.com

Answer 9

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Answer 10

In the Linyin Suttra; Everythings you invent or find out are falses, the only things everlasting is the change. Whatever you understand, actually you do not understand. Once you want to explain is already out of reality.