Modern Orthodox Judaism

Modern Orthodox Judaism (or Modern Orthodox, also known as Modern Orthodoxy and sometimes abbreviated as "MO") is a movement within Orthodox Judaism that attempts to synthesize traditional observance and values with the secular modern world. It is broadly defined as the effort to adapt Orthodox Judaism to modernity and to avoid the social and/or cultural isolation which living in strict accordance with halakha would seem to impose http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0411/is_4_47/ai_54600118.

Comparison with other movements

Various, highly differing views are offered under the banner of Modern Orthodoxy, ranging from traditionalist to revisionist. In addition, some elements of Haredi Judaism ("Ultra-Orthodox Judaism") appear to be more receptive to messages that have traditionally been part of the Modern-Orthodox agenda. At the same time, Modern Orthodoxy?s left wing may appear to align with more traditional elements of Conservative Judaism. Thus, in clarifying its position, it is useful to discuss Modern Orthodoxy with reference to other movements in Judaism.

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Haredi Judaism

Although there is some question as how precisely to define the distinction between Modern Orthodoxy and Haredi Judaism, there is basic agreement that they may be distinguished on the basis of three major characteristics: http://www.edah.org/backend/JournalArticle/4_1_waxman.pdf

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• Modern Orthodoxy adopts a relatively inclusive attitude stance towards society in general, and the larger Jewish community in particular.
• Modern Orthodoxy is, in comparison, accommodating, ?if not welcoming? to modernity, general scholarship and science.
• Modern Orthodoxy is receptive toward Israel and Zionism, viewing the State of Israel (as opposed to the Land of Israel) as having inherent Jewish significance.

The two movements also differ in their approach to Halakha as regards strictures (chumras) and leniencies (kulas); this, however, represents a specific difference in application as opposed to a general difference in ideology. Both Modern Orthodoxy and Ultra Orthodoxy regard Halakha as Divine in origin, and as such, no position is assumed without justification in the Shulkhan Arukh or in the Acharonim. In the Modern Orthodox view, however, "severity and leniency are relevant only in circumstances of factual doubt, not in situations of debate or varied practice. In the latter situations, the conclusion should be based solely on the legal analysis". In the Haredi view, on the other hand, "the most severe position... is the most likely basis for unity and commonality of practice within the Orthodox community and is therefore to be preferred". Further, "such severity... results in the greatest certainty that God's will is being performed." http://www.edah.org/backend/coldfusion/search/diverse.cfm#Chumrah.

Related Topics:
Halakha - Shulkhan Arukh - Acharonim

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As to the contention that Modern Orthodoxy also differs with Haredi Judaism as regards standards of observance of halakha in general, see below.

Related Topics:
Halakha - Below

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Neo-Orthodoxy

, the movement directly descended from Hirsch?s Frankfurt community, is often regarded as positioned, ideologically, outside of contemporary Modern Orthodoxy. In general, both communities have applied Hirsch's Torah im Derech Eretz to contemporary western life. Neo-Orthodoxy, however, has done so in a more qualified fashion, emphasizing that followers require a strong basis of faith and knowledge, and must exercise caution in engagements with the secular world. Neo-Orthodoxy differs further from Modern Orthodoxy on two counts.

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• As regards the relative emphasis of Torah versus secular: the two are distinct in that in the Hirschian view, the acquisition of secular culture and knowledge is, to some extent, functional, whereas here, "the study of worldly wisdom is not a concession to economic necessity, it is de jure not de facto".
• As regards broader communal involvement: Neo-Orthodoxy, influenced by Hirsch's philosophy on Austritt (secession), "could not countenance recognition of a non-believing body as a legitimate representative of the Jewish people", and is therefore opposed to the Mizrachi movement, which is affiliated with the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency. Modern Orthodoxy, on the other hand, is characterised by its involvement with the broader Jewish Community and by its Religious Zionism.

Conservative Judaism

In some areas, Modern Orthodoxy?s left wing aligns with more traditional elements of Conservative Judaism -- some on the left of Modern Orthodoxy have even allied with the formerly Conservative Union for Traditional Judaism.

Related Topics:
Conservative Judaism - Union for Traditional Judaism

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Nonetheless, the two movements are completely distinct. Modern Orthodoxy, in line with the rest of Orthodoxy, holds that Jewish law is Divine in origin, and as such, no underlying principle may be compromised in accounting for changing political, social or economic conditions. In contrast, "the Conservative Movement maintains that the purpose of the law in the first place is largely to concretize moral values, and so the specific form of the law can and should be changed if it is not effectively doing that" http://www.adath-shalom.ca/dorff158.htm. Most Conservative Jews hold that "he halakhic system, historically considered, evinces a constant pattern of responsiveness, change and variety. Conservative Judaism did not read that record as carte blanche for a radical revision or even rejection of the system, but rather as warrant for valid adjustment where absolutely necessary" http://www.jtsa.edu/about/cj/sacredcluster.shtml#6. Conservative Judaism thus holds that Poskim should make use of literary and historical analysis in deciding Jewish law, and may reverse decisions of the Acharonim that are held to be inapplicable today.

Related Topics:
Poskim - Acharonim

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Modern Orthodoxy does not view the process by which the Conservative movement decides halakha as legitimate, and disagrees with many of Conservative Judaism?s halakhic rulings, particularly as regards issues of egalitarianism. See further on the Orthodox view and the Conservative view. Modern Orthodoxy clearly differs from the approach of Reform Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism, which do not consider halakha to be obligatory.

Related Topics:
Egalitarian - Orthodox view - Conservative view - Reform Judaism - Reconstructionist Judaism

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