What are the different sects of Judaism?

Answer

Like most major religions, Judaism worldwide consists of several different sects. However, the branches of Judaism active today differ from those mentioned in the Bible, so the ancient and modern eras must be understood separately. When examining various sects of Judaism, it is important to note that the term Jewish can denote a religious identity, an ethnic identity, or a racial identity. Historically, these identities have been closely linked to the point of almost being indistinguishable. However, from a religious perspective, different sects are distinguished solely based on their theological beliefs.

Sects of Judaism in the Ancient Era

In the Bible, sects of Judaism were primarily distinguished by their beliefs regarding a literal afterlife and bodily resurrection, or by their views on taking an active or passive role in end-times events. Josephus, an early Jewish historian of Judea, identified four major sects of Judaism: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots. Christianity, from a literal standpoint, originated as a “sect” of Judaism as well. This viewpoint—Judaic, yet accepting Jesus as the Messiah—is now known as Messianic Judaism. There were also other smaller groups with distinct beliefs. However, the four sects mentioned by Josephus were the main divisions.

While the term Pharisee is often used pejoratively today, the Pharisees during New Testament times were deeply dedicated to moral conduct and a scholarly interpretation of the Scriptures. Their moral stance included a strict adherence to the behavioral aspects of Mosaic Law. Due to the vagueness of some biblical laws, the Pharisees developed an “Oral Torah”: a set of traditions that acted as a protective barrier around the laws of Moses, ensuring piety. Pharisees believed in a literal afterlife and the bodily resurrection of the dead. Among the four major sects of Judaism, the Pharisees held the strongest belief in determinism. The laTer rabbinic interpretation originated from the Pharisee sect. Jesus not only rebuked the Pharisees for their empty legalism (Matthew 23:2-7) but also for distorting God’s commandments through their traditions (Mark 7:8-9).

The Sadducees had distinct theological views compared to the Pharisees. They rejected the idea of an afterlife or bodily resurrection. Their main focus was on politics, making them favorable to Roman rule. While they had a less strict interpretation of the Old Testament law than the Pharisees, they still adhered to its fundamental principles. Among the major Jewish sects, the Sadducees were the most compliant with Roman authority. They were typically aristocrats who held the high priesthood. Annas and Caiaphas, mentioned in the New Testament “Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.”, (Luke 3:2), were Sadducees.

The Essenes were a monastic community. Unlike the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots, the Essenes believed in withdrawing from society to prepare for the end of the world. Essentially, the Essenes were viewed as an apocalyptic sect. They anticipated the imminent arrival of the end times and saw it as their responsibility to patiently anticipate the apocalypse. The Essenes left behind written works, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered centuries later. These significant texts demonstrate the meticulous preservation of the Old Testament Scriptures throughout history.

On the opposite end of the apocalyptic spectrum were the Zealots, the smallest of the four factions. Similar to the Essenes, the Zealots were somewhat of an apocalyptic group within Judaism. However, the Zealots believed in taking active measures to bring about the apocalypse.

Actions would directly influence when and how this apocalypse occurred. Specifically, they believed they were called to commit acts of violence against the Roman occupiers and to incite others to revolution. Theologically, Zealots were all but identical to the Pharisees, except for their fanatical, anti-Roman militancy. This view not only brought them into conflict with the Roman-friendly Sadducees, but it accelerated Roman aggression against Jews, culminating in the destruction of the temple.

Sects of Judaism in Transition

The destruction of the temple by Rome in AD 70 began an era of division between the sects of Judaism. Ever since that event, there have been no temple, no priests, and no sacrifices on behalf of the nation of Israel. In a very real sense, modern Judaism is not— and cannot be— the same as biblical Judaism. Political and religious changes over the first few centuries AD resulted in one particular interpretation becoming dominant, today known as Rabbinic Judaism.

The Rabbinic school was the result of a consolidation of power within the sects of Judaism following the destruction of the temple and the Bar Kokhba revolt about 60 years later. This school grew out of the Pharisees, and it retained their heavy emphasis on scholars and rabbis. It taught that there was a written Torah as well as an “Oral Torah,” which required a tradition-based teaching authority in order to be properly interpreted. In this way, Rabbinic Judaism proposes something similar to the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. The Rabbinic sect produced enormous quantities of literature defining the halakha, or interpretations of the Law.

As Rabbinic Judaism grew, Christianity became viewed less as a sect and more as a heresy by mainline Judaism. Christianity and Judaism were already growing apart in their spiritual approach prior to the Bar Kokhba revolt. But when Christ-following Jews refused to proclaim Simon bar Kokhba as Messiah, they were branded as complete heretics by mainline Rabb.

Early Judaism

The origins of Judaism can be traced back to ancient times. Initially, it was a unified religion. However, with the emergence of Christianity, Judaism began to be viewed as a distinct theology. Another faction that arose during this period was Karaite Judaism, which recognized only the canonical written texts of the Old Testament while rejecting Rabbinic writings and oral traditions. The Rabbinic era extended until the late 17th century.

Varieties of Judaism in the Contemporary Age

In the early 18th century, Judaism underwent a schism due to the introduction of modern interpretations of Scripture and societal norms. This division led to the classification of modern Jews into three main categories: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Additionally, there exist several smaller sects of Judaism, such as Torah Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism, although the majority of Jews worldwide adhere to Orthodox beliefs. However, Conservative and Reform Judaism are more prevalent in the United States and certain regions of Europe.

Reform Judaism, which originated in Germany in the early 1800s, stands out as the most progressive theological faction. It is primarily characterized by “ethical monotheism,” focusing on the reinterpretation of traditional customs rather than strict observance. Practices like Hebrew prayers, kosher dietary laws, and gender segregation during worship are dismissed as outdated or irrelevant. According to Reform Judaism, the Scriptures are human creations open to interpretation and subject to human fallibility.

In response to the emergence of Reform Judaism, some Jews reinforced the principles of Rabbinic Judaism, emphasizing traditional rituals, interpretations, and observances. They argue that the Torah, directly transmitted from God to Moses, remains relevant for all time. This group is now known as “Orthodox,” a term initially used pejoratively by more liberal Jews. The majority of practicing Jews worldwide, excluding those in the U.S. and parts of Europe, align with Orthodox beliefs.

The ongoing conflict between the progressive Reform movement and the staunchly traditionalInnovative Orthodox developments led to the emergence of the third significant branch of Judaism, known as Conservative. This faction is notably more prevalent in the United States. Conservative Judaism adheres to the regulations of the Torah and Talmud, while also incorporating some adjustments to align with contemporary cultural inclinations. The primary focus of Conservative Judaism lies in the importance of religious observance and Jewish religious identity. It upholds kosher dietary laws and observes the traditional Sabbath, utilizing both local and Hebrew languages for worship services without gender segregation. Similar to Reform Judaism, Conservative Judaism does not view the Scriptures as divinely inspired or without error.