Israel Varieties of Israeli Judaism

Israel Country Studies index

Israel - Varieties of Israeli Judaism

Varieties of israeli judaism

As the references to "Orthodox Zionists," "Orthodox non-Zionists," and "Orthodox anti-Zionists" indicate, Judaism is not a monolithic cultural entity in contemporary Israel. Furthermore, an understanding of religious categories in American Judaism, is not sufficient for understanding Israeli Judaism. Israelis religiously categorize themselves first as dati, that is, "religiously" observant Jews or lo dati, "not religiously" observant Jews. One who is religious strictly follows halakah, that is, adheres to the totality of rabbinic law. One who is not religious is not a strict follower of rabbinic law; however, the category can be further subdivided into agnostic or atheistic secularists, on the one hand, and individuals who are committed to Judaism in principle, on the other. The latter groups calls itself "traditionalist."

Many Oriental Jews, especially in the second generation since immigration, are traditionalists, expressing this commitment in observance of folk customs such as ethnic festivals and pilgrimages. This group is important because, although members may not vote directly for religious political parties, they respond positively to religious symbols used politically by a number of parties; for example, the idea of the Jewish people's right to a greater, biblical land of Israel as divinely ordained.

 
You can read more regarding this subject on the following websites:

Religion in Israel - Wikipedia
This is what connects Israeli soldiers to Judaism and Israel
Study finds more Israelis identify with Conservative
Liberal Judaism in Israel | My Jewish Learning
The new face of Israeli Judaism - Local Israel - Jerusalem


Israel Country Studies index
Country Studies main page
About
Contact