Essay on Judaism: Halakha and United States

Submitted By rodmon
Words: 387
Pages: 2

My way of being a Reform Jew
There are three major movements within Judaism in the United States, Reform, conservative and orthodox. The three exist with Reform being more modern, liberal, or progressive and less observant of traditional beliefs of Jewish law. I will be focusing on how I am a reform Jew today and I will elaborate my daily routines and rituals compared to an orthodox Jew.
First, let me explain a little of my understanding of a reform Jew. Reform Judaism is rather more liberal compared to Orthodox Judaism. Reform Judaism permits men and women to sit together in the synagogue, includes choir and organ music in their services, holds a confirmation ceremony for girls parallel to the boys' BAR MITZVAH, and does not observe daily public worship, strict dietary laws, or the restriction of normal activities on the SABBATH. Where Orthodox Judaism hold both the written law TORAH and the oral law that was codified in the Mishna and interpreted in the TALMUD are immutably fixed and remain the sole norm of religious observance. Orthodox Jew’s practice daily worship, dietary laws, deeply study of the Torah, and separation of men and women in the synagogue. It is also mandatory to have strict observance of the SABBATH and does not permit instrumental music during communal services. Reform Judaism continues to move toward Orthodox Judaism without embracing all its strictures.
My Name is Monica and I am a strong believer in Reform Judaism where my parents and