What is the difference between orthodox Jews and Secular Jews?

Answer 1

There are three main denominations in Judaism. Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Orthodox Judaism is very strict and Orthodox Jews attempt to follow all 613 commandments as best they can. Orthodox Judaism sees the Torah as the absolute law that must be followed. Conservative Judaism is somewhat less strict. Conservative Jews follow many old traditions but are not as forceful of the laws and embrace some new concepts. Reform Judaism sees the Torah as a moral guide more than a rule book. Reform Judaism is very relaxed.

Answer 2

It is unclear what is meant by "Normal Judaism", since no form of Judaism is "abnormal". If by "Normal Judaism" the question refers to "Liberal Judaism", please see the discussion below.

The Torah Jews and the Liberal Jews have very different perceptions of each other. The main division between these sects is the willingness to use non-Judaic source content to abrogate or modernize Jewish teaching and practice. Torah Jews believe that such things represent a deterioration of Jewish identity and purpose, whereas Liberal Jews see Jewish Identity to be more internal or ethnic and the religious aspect to be secondary. As a result, Torah Jews believe Liberal Jews to have "lost their way" and Liberal Jews see Torah Jews as being antiquated and "out of sync" with the modern world. Regardless of whether a person is a Torah Jew or a Liberal Jew, that person may also practice rites derivative of his ancestral region such as Eastern European customs, Iberian customs, North African customs, etc. These customs do not affect other Jews as perceiving him as Jewish and these rites are all co-equal.

Within Torah Judaism there are a number of movements distinguished by their level of integration with the non-Jewish world, their styles of prayer, and their level of conservatism. The Modern Orthodox are typically seen as the more liberal branch of Torah Judaism. While they typically wear Jewish paraphernalia (such as a Kippa and Tzitzit), they will dress in a standard-style business suit and work in Western companies. On the more conservative side are the Hasidim and Ultra-Orthodox, most of whom wear unique vestment at all times and are recognizable by their payyot (sideburn-curls).

Within Liberal Judaism there are a number of movements also distinguished by their level of integration with the non-Jewish world, their styles of prayer, and their level of conservatism. At the most liberal are Secular Jews who may make Jewish foods and sing Jewish songs, but rarely attend synagogue services and do not generally perform the daily acts required of Torah Jews. In Liberal Judaism there is a question as to how much Hebrew and how much Vernacular should be used in a Synagogue service. Conservative Jews, on the more conservative side typically prefer more Hebrew, whereas Reform Jews prefer more Vernacular. Liberal Jews are often well-acclimated to non-Jewish society and may have many non-Jewish friends and contacts.

Answer 3

Orthodox Jews keep much closer to the strictest interpertations of the Torah whereas secular Jews blend in more with everyone else and take the Torah's teachings differently.

Orthodox Jews (although there are subcategories within Orthodoxy) is the strict, 'traditional' view of the Jewish religion. Orthodox Jews will stick to strict values, i.e., the way they dress, maintain their appearances (Jew men, for example, are not supposed to shave their beards), the languages they use and other daily activities.

Secular Jews actually do not exist considering the word secular means a complete separation from religious views. Those who consider themselves secular may have once been Jewish but are no long affiliating themselves with that religion.

Answer 4

The more strict you are about keeping the laws of Judaism, the higher your level of Orthodoxy. Examples of keeping more laws are in areas such as: kosher, sabbath, praying, etc.

Torah-observant Judaism dates back for a few thousand years. Originally it was simply called "Torah" or living by the Torah. Today it has the additional name of Orthodox Judaism. Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah must be fully observed (Deuteronomy 13:5). They keep the laws of Judaism as codified in the Shulchan Arukh (Code of Jewish Law), which lists the laws of the Torah as explained in the Talmud. Torah-study is seen as very important (Deuteronomy 5:1); and the modern world is seen as subservient to the Torah (Talmud, Nedarim 32a), not the other way around. Jewish laws are not seen as being irrelevant, inconvenient or outmoded.
Other Jewish groups (Conservative, Reform) are recent. They adapt, curtail or change the Torah-laws in contemporary life, to a greater or lesser degree. For example, they might keep kosher only at home but not when eating out.

Answer 5

One of them is a subgroup of practicioners of Christianity, while the other is a

subgroup of practicioners of Judaism. The question is a bit like asking "What is

the difference between a fast car and a fast woman ?"

Additionally, the reason that these groups were given the title of Orthodox differs quite strongly. In the case of Orthodox Judaism, this was a title given to them by their adversaries; they called themselves "Torah Jews". The term was applied to them because Liberal Jews considered the Torah Jews to have the historically correct belief (ortho = right, doxos = belief). They considered it a concession on their part to say that the Orthodox Jews were at least repeating the traditions of their ancestors. In the case of Orthodox Christianity, they chose their own name in opposition to the Catholics. They used it to signal that the Catholic Church was deviating from the Unified Church and that they were the historically proper belief. The Catholics, conversely chose a word meaning "Universal" because they believed that their understanding of the faith should apply in all places.

Answer 6

Where the term "Orthodox" refers to Orthodox Judaism:

Answer 1

In the USA, Judaism is split into the following movements: Orthodox, Conservative, Reformed, and Reconstructionist.

The differences between the movements are not so much a matter of theology, but more a matter of how literally they take the scriptures, how much they think biblical requirements can be changed, and whether those requirements are mandatory.

Orthodox and sometimes Conservative are described as "traditional" movements. Amongst the Orthodox, are Chasidic Jews who are often called "ultra-Orthodox".

Reformed, and Reconstructionist Jews are the more "liberal" or "modern" movements.

Where the term "Orthodox" refers to Orthodox Christianity:

Answer 1

Judaism differs from Orthodox Christianity in almost every way imaginable. It differs on the positions of the Messiah, the Trinity, Sin, Damnation, Clergy Hierarchy, Language Used in Prayer, the New Testament, the Deuterocanon, Monastic Life, etc.

Answer 7

Orthodox Jews are much stricter in their religious tenets than standard Jewish followers. Orthodox Jews follow all 613 Torah commands as exactly as possible, while regular Jews hold the view of the Torah as a moral guideline instead.

Answer 8

Orthodox Jews believe that the Torah must be fully observed (Deuteronomy 13:5). They keep the laws of Judaism in the Shulchan Arukh (Code of Jewish Law), which lists the laws of the Torah as explained in the Talmud. Torah-study is seen as very important (Deuteronomy 5:1); and the modern world is seen as subservient to the Torah (Talmud, Nedarim 32a).
Other Jewish groups (Conservative, Reform) adapt, curtail or change the Torah-laws to a greater or lesser degree.

See also the Related Links.

Link: Types of Jews

Link: What is life like for religious Jews

Link: Why do some Jews not keep Jewish laws