Modern Judaism: Its Major Divisions (HSC SSCE Studies of Religion): Revision Notes

Modern Judaism: Its Major Divisions

Historical context: the diaspora

The destruction of the two holy Jewish Temples in Jerusalem marked watershed moments in Jewish history. The first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, and the second by the Romans in 70 CE. These catastrophic events led to the diaspora - the scattering of Jewish people across the world - creating lasting geographical and cultural distinctions within Judaism that continue today.

Cultural divisions within Judaism

Following the diaspora, three major cultural groups developed within Judaism based on geographical location and historical experience. Whilst these groups share core Jewish beliefs and practices, they developed distinct languages, customs, and traditions.

Mizrachim

The term Mizrachim means "Easterners" and refers to the Eidot HaMizrach (Communities of the East). These are Jewish communities who either remained in the land of Israel or were exiled to regions including Babylonia, the Arabian Peninsula, and northern Africa.

Mizrachim communities established themselves in countries such as Iraq, Yemen, Iran, Egypt, Algeria, Syria, and Libya. They remained in these predominantly Muslim lands until 1948, when many were expelled and returned to Israel. The primary languages of Mizrachim people are Hebrew and Arabic.

Sephardim

The name Sephardim comes from the Hebrew word for Spain (Sepharad). This group traces its history to Jewish communities who lived in Spain from the eighth century CE until their mass expulsion in 1492.

Following their expulsion from Spain, Sephardim people migrated to various countries including Greece, Italy, Turkey, England, Holland, and North Africa. In North Africa, they joined existing Mizrachim communities. The Sephardim spoke Hebrew but often communicated in Arabic or Ladino - a hybrid language combining Hebrew, Spanish, and local languages.

Ashkenazim

Originally referring to a people mentioned in Genesis 10:3, the term Ashkenazim came to identify Jewish communities living in Germany and regions to its north and east from the ninth century CE onwards.

After the Crusades (around 1200 CE), Ashkenazim communities were united through their use of Yiddish - a language combining Hebrew with German, similar to how Ladino combined Hebrew with Spanish. Ashkenazim culture was characterised by being more inward-looking than Mediterranean Jewish communities. They developed distinctive folk traditions and viewed Sephardic philosophy with some suspicion.

By the nineteenth century, Ashkenazim formed the largest Jewish group globally, comprising approximately 9.5 million of the world's 11.5 million Jews.

Modern integration and cultural preservation

In today's multicultural world, Mizrachim, Sephardim, and Ashkenazim communities live together in Israel and in Jewish communities worldwide. Intermarriage between these groups has become common. However, their three distinct cultural heritages continue to thrive and evolve, particularly in areas such as language, cuisine, and especially music, enriching the broader Jewish world.

Religious divisions within Judaism

Alongside cultural divisions, Judaism developed distinct religious movements or "variants", particularly from the nineteenth century onwards. These movements differ in their approach to Jewish law, scripture, and practice.

Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Judaism represents the traditional form of Judaism. The term "orthodox" was only coined in the nineteenth century by Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch to distinguish traditional Judaism from the emerging Reform movement. Before this, all Judaism was essentially orthodox.

Core beliefs and practices

In Orthodox worship, men and women sit separately. Historically, only men could become rabbis (community leaders schooled in Jewish law and ritual who often lead worship). Recently, a small number of Orthodox women have achieved the learning necessary for this title, though many choose alternative terms such as "Rabba".

Relationship with Israel

Returning to the Promised Land is a central belief in Orthodox Judaism. However, some minority Orthodox groups believe this should only occur with the arrival of the Messianic age. Following the Holocaust, mainstream Orthodox communities have strongly supported Zionism - the concept of Jewish self-determination and the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Israel.

In Australia

Orthodox Judaism is the most common form of Judaism in Australia. Many Orthodox Jews resist the label "orthodox", preferring simply to be called Jewish, as they consider their practice to be the authentic expression of Judaism.

Progressive/Reform Judaism

Progressive Judaism emerged in nineteenth-century Germany as a response to modernism and changing social conditions. Originally called Reform Judaism (or Liberal Judaism in Australia), this movement developed when European nations began granting citizenship rights to Jewish people for the first time.

Origins and motivations

Some Jewish people believed that Judaism was denied equal citizenship rights because it appeared too "foreign" to European societies. They sought to modernise Jewish practice to make it more compatible with contemporary Western European life whilst maintaining core Jewish beliefs and values.

Key changes introduced

• Built smaller synagogues (often renamed "temples") for shorter worship services
• Conducted services in local languages rather than exclusively in Hebrew
• Introduced organ music and other features more common in Christian churches at the time
• Simplified certain traditional practices

Development in America

In Australia

In contemporary Australia, this movement is known as Progressive Judaism. Just over 20 per cent of Australian Jews identify as Progressive.

Conservative Judaism

Conservative Judaism developed primarily as a reaction to Reform Judaism rather than to Orthodox Judaism. Despite its name, it is not strictly "conservative" in the traditional sense, but rather conservative in relation to Reform Judaism's more radical changes.

Distinguishing beliefs

Conservative Jews agree with Progressive Judaism that the Torah is a human creation rather than directly divine. However, they differ in their strong commitment to maintaining distinctive Jewish rituals and practices. They believe Judaism must adapt to contemporary times but should do so more cautiously than the Reform movement.

Practical differences

Relationship with Israel

Unlike the early Reform movement, Conservative Judaism quickly embraced Zionism, supporting the idea that Jewish people must have their own homeland and self-determination.

Other expressions

Additional expressions of Judaism exist worldwide, including Hassidism, a subgroup within Orthodox Judaism characterised by its mystical approach and distinctive practices.

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