| II.
History
Orthodoxy Judaism is loosely affliated set of Jewish movements that
are characterized by a strict adherence to traditional Jewish law codes,
and to classical Jewish theology. Like all denominations of Judaism,
Orthodoxy is not identical to the forms of Judaism that existed in the
times of Moses, nor even identical to the Judaism which existed in the
time of the Mishnah and Talmud. The practices and worldview held by
Orthodox Jews developed in the 18th and 19th century, in resistance to
the emancipation and enlightenment movements. Orthodoy considers itself
the only true heir to the Jewish tradition, and most of it considers all
other Jewish movements to be unacceptable deviations from tradition.
Orthodox Judaism is not a unified movement; rather it is composed of
many different groups with intersecting beliefs, practices and
theologies. In their broad patterns, the Orthodox movements are very
similar in their observance and beliefs. However, they maintain
significant social differences, and differences in understanding halakha
due to their varying attitudes concerning (a) the role of women in
Judaism, (b) relations with non-Orthodox Jews, (c) attitudes toward
modern culture, and (d) how to relate to the modern State of Israel.
Orthodox Judaism affirms theism. Its members have varied beliefs
about the nature of God, and no one understanding of the Deity is
mandated. Among the beliefs affirmed are: Maimonidean rationalism;
Kabbalistic mysticism; Hasidic panentheism; a few affirm limited theism
(the theology elucidated by Gesonides in "The Wars of the
Lord".)
Since there is no one unifying Orthodox body, there is no one
official statement of principles. Rather, each Orthodox group claims
heir to the received tradition of Jewish theology, usually affirming a
literal acceptance of Maimonides 13 principles as the only acceptable
position. Some within Modern Orthodoxy take the more liberal position
that these principles only represent one particular formulation of
Jewish faith, and that others are possible.
Orthodox Jews view halakha (Jewish law) as a set of rules, and
principles designed to create new rules, that were literally spoken to
Moses on Mount Siani, and that were trasmitted with an incredibly high
degree of accuracy. Creativity and development in Jewish law is held to
have always been very limited; Orthodox Jews aver that when Jewish law
has developed, it almost never took into account changing political,
social or economic conditions.
Sephardic Orthodox Jews base their practices on the Shulkhan Arukh,
the 16th century legal index written by Rabbi Joseph Karo; Ashkenazic
Orthodox Jews base their practices on the Mappah, a commentary to the
Shulkhan Arukh written by Rabbi Moses Isserles.
Orthodox Judaism maintains the traditional understanding of Jewish
identity. A Jew is someone who was born to a Jewish mother, or who
converts to Judaism in accordance with Jewish law and tradition.
Orthodoxy thus rejects patrilineal descent. Similarly, Orthodoxy does
not allow intermarriage. Intermarriage is seen as a deliberate rejection
of Judaism, and an intermarried person is effectively cut off from most
of the Orthodox community. However, some Chabad Lubavitch and Modern
Orthodox Jews do reach out to intermarried Jews.
|
