Modern Orthodox Judaism

The Orthodox Exemption Some Jews say Haredi Jews should be exempt from military service in Israel because they need to focus on their religious studies. Some Jews say Haredi Jews should not be exempt from military service in Israel because Halakha commands that all Jews fight in a milchemet mitzvah. Haredi Jews should be required to serve in the Israeli military because Halakha commands it. In Israel, both men and women are required to serve in the Israeli Defense Force, or the IDF. There…

Bat Mitzvah in Australian Society How effectively do the coming of age rituals of Judaism prepare a young person for full acceptance in contemporary Australian society? A coming of age ritual is a milestone that marks an important time of transition for every child and every family, welcoming that child as an official “adult” member of the Jewish community. In Judaism, there are two coming of age rituals – Bar Mitzvah (for boys), and Bat Mitzvah (for girls). While the ritual teaches many…

website, Judaism is one of the oldest religions in the world that still exists today. Jewish history, beliefs, and traditions were recorded in the Hebrew Bible beginning as early as the 8th century BC. Although it never achieved dominant numbers, the faith of the Hebrews continues to influence the modern western world. Jewish beliefs center on the conviction that there is only one God. Today, approximately 14 million people identify themselves as Jews. There are three main branches of Judaism,…

people with gratitude, realisation of life and reality and a way to make our reason and faith complete. Contemplation, spiritual or non-spiritual, can affect everyone whether or not the individual lives a religious or secular lifestyle. Christianity, Judaism and Islam all demonstrate within each religion the different yet similar ways contemplation affect the adherents. It is hypothesised that religious…

While discussing the religious faith of Judaism, whether it be in the premodern, modern, or postmodern era, we can conclude that the Jewish people have struggled for many years to openly practice their religion without complications. Even though “Judaism is the smallest of the great world religions” and they only compose “.2 percent of the world's population”, they “have had, and continue to have, a major impact on history” (Esposito, 78). From the issues created by the diversity of Jews, to the…

Through the Zionist movement, the Jewish people transformed themselves from a passive, marginalized people into a collective unit that was able to fight for a homeland and create the modern life possible in Jerusalem and Israel. When thinking about the Jewish people and their history, the roots of their religion, the destruction of the epicenter of their very religion, and the Temple Mount, it is imperative that we recognize the multiple forced removals from their homeland and city of Jerusalem,…

Firstly, Judaism introduced the concept of democracy to the world. In the book of Shmot, when G-d defeats the demi-god Pharoah, He proves no political figure can be a god. Furthermore, the 10 plagues are a direct attack against Egyptian gods: the transformation of the Nile river into blood an affront to the Nile-god, while the impenetrable darkness offended Ancient Egypt’s central god, the Sun-god (Ra). Absolute rulers may continue to exist and be accepted by their subjects, but Judaism took the…

do Reform Judaism and Orthodox Judaism compare regarding homosexuality? Reform Judaism has embraced and are very supportive of same-sex marriage equality. Orthodox Judaism is the opposite and are against homosexuality and see it as a sin. Although the two religions were based upon the same beliefs they have very different views on this particular topic. Orthodox Judaism is more outdated and still practice their old-fashioned ways. Reform Judaism is very modernized and accepting of modern…

of two very different Jewish boys. In his book Chaim Potok tells us of the formation, friendship, and hardships between the Hasidic raised, Danny Saunders and the Orthodox raised, Zionist, Reuven Malter. Potok’s story serves to both give an interesting story of a friendship, as well as inform us about the various denominations in Judaism. The story begins as Danny and Reuven play softball against each other and they present tensions towards one another. Both players play a great game, but…

Regarding her religion, I already knew a lot about Judaism before I enrolled in this course so the interview itself didn’t teach me a lot about the religion. I did get to see real world examples of how strict Ultra-Orthodox Jews can be. Jenny’s father is a non-practicing Jew. He used to be a lot like Rabbi Joseph Meszler from our course pack. He believed things like, “The Torah was [not] written by God” (Course pack 1). On top of his liberal beliefs in Judaism, his mother didn’t approve of him…