What is the difference between an Ultra Orthodox Jew and an Orthodox Jew...?

Question

in terms of beliefs and lifestyle?

Thanks for the interesting answers!

Answer 1

http://www.frumster.com/labelsdefined.php
Orthodox Observance Categories
Below are guidelines to understanding the observance categories on Frumster.

We do not use these terms to make judgments about an individual's observance, nor do we encourage categorization of people by "putting them in boxes". Our intention is solely to facilitate searches for a potential spouse; as an individual's religious outlook and practice are essential criteria in determining compatability.

Because these terms may be understood differently across the Jewish world, we encourage singles to search across Hashkafas (Jewish outlooks/observance categories), and focus on objective measurements of observance - such as frequency of prayer, and type of dress.

Modern Orthodox Liberal
These tend to be individuals who are Shabbat and Kosher observant, but have a more "relaxed" or "open" approach to Halacha, sometimes accepting leniencies that are not accepted by those who espouse strict adherence to the dictates of the Halacha. Such individuals may, or may not be involved in regular and consistent Torah learning or prayer, although the general tendency is to be more "relaxed" in these areas as well. A commonality amongst this group is that they are open to secular activities such as bars, clubs, and movies.

Modern Orthodox Machmir
These tend to be individuals who strive to maintain a lifestyle according to the rules and guidelines of Halacha (Jewish law); often this is reflected in greater involvement in daily Torah learning and prayer. However, they are modern in the sense that they are not "Yeshivish" (see the next category) and readily engage in the secular world while leading an Orthodox observant life.

Yeshivish Modern
These tend to be individuals who identify more strongly with the Yeshivish-black-hat community, but feel that working in society is an essential part of their Judaism. Such individuals strive to embrace a structured Torah lifestyle with a professional secular career. Identification with a "Yeshivish" outlook can reflect itself in dress, which Rabbi one follows, and the Torah institutions that one attends or supports.

Yeshivish Black Hat
With these individuals, Torah learning, prayer, and careful adherence to fulfillment of Mitzvos are core elements to a life of intensive religious commitment and spiritual growth. Strict and unbending loyalty to Halacha is seen as normative. Generally, an avoidance of the secular world is encouraged, and barriers are seen as critical to protecting against secular influences.

Hassidish
Such individuals embrace a Hasidic philosophy, which includes a commitment to the emotional/spiritual element of Torah observance. This can be reflected in an orientation in which additional emphasis is placed on prayer and fulfillment of Mitzvos with religious fervor and passion. Usually, there is a distinctive mode of Chassidic dress, which can vary according to the particular affiliation (e.g. Breslov, Ger, Lubavitch (Chabad), Satmar etc). Often, an individual follows and professes allegiance to a particular spiritual guide (Rebbe).

Carlebachian
These are individuals who are Shabbat and Kosher observant and tend to embrace a more spiritual, and relaxed observant lifestyle. This observant outlook emanates from followers of the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlbach who was an inspiration to many unaffiliated Jews in the 60's and 70's and who were drawn towards greater observance by a Rabbi who embraced a message of Torah, love of the Jewish people, and Israel, expressed through his own musicality.

Shomer Mitzvot
This category was created out of a demand for a no-name brand "Orthodox" category. Individuals who choose this category generally do not believe in labels or categorization.

Answer 2

Ultra Orthodox Jews are Hasidim, or the people who walk around in the black coats and furry hats with curls hanging from their sideburns. They're very strict with all the laws and believe in keeping tradition (which is why they dress the way they do - they've been wearing that garb for 300 years.) They also live in their own tiny, tight-knit communities, normally without any or with few non-Jews in the area (e.g. New Square, New York; Williamsburg, New York; Borough Park, New York). An Orthodox Jew is normal, like me. We keep all the laws strictly, but we're not gonna go insane over them, we dress like normal people but a little more modestly (no tank tops, short shorts, miniskirts, etc.) and act normally, live within a community of other Jews but still with non-Jews (I live in Manhattan, for example). Orthodox Jews still keep every law like the Ultra Orthodox do, Orthodox Jews just keep it less loudly.

Answer 3

Generally (since these are labels that others have bestowed on them), Orthodox Jews are more blended into the mainstream. They wear regular clothes (yamaka probably), but still follow strictly the belief and practices (some of the more obvious include not driving on the Sabbath, praying 3 times a day (generally two of these with a minyan or 10 Jewish men over 13), following the laws of kosher food, observing the Jewish holidays strictly (on Passover and Succocs, regular work is not done on the first two and last two days), etc. The Ultra-Orthodox Jews are generally limited to small groups who came from Hasidic enclaves in Europe. The most famous of these are the Lubavicher (from Lubavich). Many live in tight-knit communities like Monsey, NY or Lakewood, NJ or in sections of Brooklyn, NY. They revere their rabbis. They dress in old-world style, men with black overcoats and fur hats (strimmel), boy's hair isn't cut until they are 3 and then they braid their hair into "payes", not unlike those fashionable with blacks. They attend their own schools through college. They strictly adhere to Kosher food laws, even being more strict than those of the Orthodox (Orthodox are willing to accept O-U or Kuf-K labels on foods,while Ultra's look for "Glatt Kosher". )

I could go on-and-on, but if you want to read or see a good comparison story, The Chosen by Chiam Potok, is highly recommended.

Answer 4

Mark S gave a pretty good answer, I'm just here to add my two cents.

In my experience, an Orthodox Jew is one who is willing to adapt modern times to fit halacha, while a non-Orthodox Jew is one who is willing to adapt halacha to fit modern times...the ultra Orthodox Jews tend to be the ones that say "forget modern times altogether. If it fits, great. If it doesn't, it has to go."

Just my personal experience and opinion, though that's not a really good way to describe it, and doesn't account for all branches of Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Judaism.

Peace

Answer 5

Ultra-Orthodox is usually used to describe the groups that lived tucked away in their own little enclaves, and don't interact with the outside world. Modern Orthodox means Jews who are more integrated with secular society, and are are more lenient in certain areas. Just plain "Orthodox" can mean either group, or both.

Answer 6

Just terms the media uses.