Differences Among Modern Jews

Over more than two millennia of diaspora, Jews living around the world integrated with local populations, leading to significant differences in appearance, language, customs, and culture. The three main branches of modern Jewry are: Ashkenazi Jews (descendants of Jews who migrated to the Rhineland region of Germany between 800–1000 AD, speaking Yiddish, and making up about 70% of the population); Sephardi Jews (descendants of Spanish Jews expelled in 1492, speaking Ladino, and making up about 20%); and Mizrahi Jews (descendants of Jews from the Middle East and North Africa, making up about 10%).

In modern Israel, 73% of Jews are secular, while the remaining 27% belong to Orthodox Judaism, which is primarily divided into Modern Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Haredi.

Orthodox Judaism is the largest denominational group within Judaism and is considered the conservative and traditional faction. It holds a special status in Israel. Orthodox Jews believe their sect is the only true form of Judaism and that the Law, revealed by God at Mount Sinai, is sacred and has absolute authority. They strictly adhere to traditional beliefs and rituals and reject any reforms to Judaism. However, the Orthodox prayer book clarifies that “the Law” is a broad concept that includes not only the Ten Commandments but also the Pentateuch (Tanakh), the Oral Torah, and all religious theory, study, and practice. The lives of Orthodox Jews are governed by this broad definition of the Law, and everything must conform to traditional rabbinic rulings and rituals, including observing the Sabbath, following dietary laws, and praying three times a day. Orthodox Jews are also granted an exemption from military service in the Israel Defense Forces.

Haredi Judaism, also known as ultra-Orthodox Judaism, is the most conservative branch of Orthodox Judaism. Haredi Jews are mainly found in Israel, North America, and Western Europe, with a 2011 newspaper estimating the worldwide population to be 1.3 million. They believe their faith and religious customs are a direct tradition from Moses and that they are distinct from modern Orthodox Judaism. In Haredi education, boys and girls attend separate schools to study the Pentateuch. From age 14, many Haredi boys no longer study any secular subjects (science, math, foreign languages) and instead focus exclusively on the study of Jewish law. Haredi men are not permitted to talk to non-Haredi women, and Haredi women are not permitted to talk to non-Haredi men. Women are homemakers. Because birth control is forbidden and having large families is encouraged, most Haredi families live in poverty. Since 2006, many Haredi women have sought to pursue higher education and enter mainstream society, and Haredi life is currently undergoing a slow transformation.