SEPHARDIM &
ASHKENAZIM
The various streams of Judaism
should not be confused with the
terms "Ashkenazic" and "Sephardic,"
which refer to the part of the world
from which one's ancestors hailed.
While Sephardim and Ashkenazim
share the basic tenets of Jewish
belief, practices may differ consider-
ably in terms of worship, ritual and
minhagim (customs).
Sephardim are descendants of
Spanish and Portuguese Jews who
spread to North Africa, Europe, the
Middle East, Asia and the New
World following the expulsion of
Jews in 1492. The Sephardic vernac-
ular is called Ladino, a blend of
Hebrew, Spanish, Turkish and other
languages. Modern Hebrew uses
Sephardic pronunciation.
Originally a biblical term,
"Ashkenaz" came to refer first to
German lands, then was applied
more loosely to refer to European
Jews and their culture. Yiddish, a
blend of Hebrew and German, is the
traditional Askhenazic vernacular.
Most Orthodox congregations retain
the Ashkenazic pronunciation of
Hebrew.
many different groups that share cer-
tain traditional principles and prac-
tices. Orthodox Jews believe that the
Torah represents the exact words of
God, as given to Moses, on behalf of
the Jewish people, on Mount Sinai.
To understand what God's mitzvot
(commandments) require of us
across time, rabbinic authorities turn
to Halachah (the collected body of
Jewish law), to interpret the correct
way, or path, of observance. Three
cornerstones of Orthodox practice
are observing Shabbat, keeping
kosher and following the laws of mik-
vah (family purity).
There is no single, centralized
Orthodox seminary, rabbinic associa-
tion or authorized "platform," either
in the diaspora or Israel. Some major
subgroups within Orthodoxy are:
• Chasidism: Founded in the 18th
century by Ukrainian-born Rabbi
Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem
Toy (Master of the Good Name),
Chasidism emphasizes the joyful,
intuitive experience of the divine.
• Major groups today: Belzer,
Bianer, Bobov, Bostoner, Breslov,
Gerer, Lubavitch (Chabad),
Munkacz, Puppa, Rimnitz, Satmar
and Vizhnitz. These groups differ
philosophically and in their atti-
tudes toward Zionism.
• Modern Centrist: The Modern-
Centrist accepts some aspects of
secular culture and education and
generally has a Zionist orientation.
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ORTHODOX
Orthodox Judaism is a generic
term of fairly recent origin describing
• National organizations:
National Council for Young Israel,
Rabbinical Council of America
(RCA), Union of Orthodox Jewish
Congregations of America (OU),
National Conference of Synagogue
Youth.
• Mitnagim The Mitnagim devel-
oped as reaction against
Chasidism, creating "Lithuanian-
style" yeshivot with a focus on
Torah study.
CONSERVATIVE
Conservative Judaism evolved pri-
marily in the Llnited States, in reac-
tion to the Reform movement (see
below). The Conservative movement
holds that the Torah and Talmud are
of Divine origin, and thus Halachah
must be followed. However,
Conservatives also believe that reve-
lation continues to take place as
each generation of Jews discovers
and responds to God's word.
Thus, after careful study, changes
to Halachah may be made in
response to historical development.
The Conservative movement holds
central the observance of kashrut
(dietary laws) and Shabbat.
• National organizations:
Rabbinical Assembly; Jewish
Theological Seminary; United
Synagogue of Conservative
Judaism; United Synagogue Youth.
STREAMS OF JUDAISM on page 22
2004-2005 Community Directory ■
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