Different Sects of Judaism

The different sects, or denominations, of Judaism are most often referred to as movements. There are, statistically, three major movements of Judaism present in the U.S. today. These movements are the Reform, which is sometimes referred to as Reconstruction, Conservative and Orthodox movements. Each movement differs in accordance to how the founding members of that particular sect translated the Jewish scriptures. Each group is different in how literally each takes the scriptures, by how much the group may think biblical requirements are changeable and whether those requirements are mandatory.

Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Jews believe that God gave Moses the whole Torah, both written and oral versions, at Mount Sinai. Members of this branch believe that the Torah contains 613 laws, which are binding to all Jews. The more modern Orthodox Jews strictly observe and adhere to these Jewish laws, but still manage to integrate into modern society. Ultra-Orthodox Jews, which includes the Chasidic Jews, strictly observe the Jewish laws and choose not to integrate into modern society. They do this by dressing distinctively and living separately.

Reform Judaism

Reform Judaism believes that the Torah was transcribed by different human sources and not by God. These Jews believe that the transcriptions were later collected and combined. While Reform Judaism does not accept the binding nature of Jewish Law, this movement does retain most of the values and ethics in Judaism.

Conservative Judaism

Conservative Judaism supports the belief that the ideas found in the Torah came from God, but the scriptures were transmitted by humans and, thus, contain a human component. Conservative Jews generally accept the binding nature of Jewish Law. This sect believes that the Law should adapt and evolve with the predominant culture while remaining true to the values of Judaism. Conservative Judaism is commonly believed to have grown out of the tension between Orthodoxy and Reform.

Although each group differs in the literal translations of Jewish Law, all sects retain the same basic beliefs, traditional holidays and customs.