The Different Directions in Judaism - Essay Example

Most people translate the Halakha as Jewish law, however, in the real sense, it means the path. That is how people ought to live. On this basis, most Jews who lived in the diaspora used the Halakha as a source of their religious and civil laws. In contemporary and modern Jewish society, personal and family laws are always under the authority of the rabbi courts. On this basis, the family and personal values are always under the guidance of the Halakha. In interpreting the Halakha, there are three main Jewish directions, namely the Orthodox, the liberal, and the Hasidism directions.

The Orthodox Jews believe in the Halakha as a religious system (Landesmann and Jones, 2012). They believe that the Halakha is a revelation of the will of God. Orthodox Jews believe that the Rabbis have a duty of interpreting the written Torah, where its provisions are not clear. However, they must only do so with the regulations specified by Moses, at the mountain of Sinai. These regulations under consideration were transmitted orally, and they are clearly explained in the book of Talmud. Orthodox Jews believe that no rabbi has the authority to change the Jewish laws contained in the Talmud and the Torah, all they can do is give an interpretation of these laws.

However, their interpretations are subject to change, and reconsideration. According to Orthodox Judaism, the role of a woman is dynamic and complex. Women under Orthodox Judaism are allowed to engage in business, observe the Sabbath, and engage in activities aimed at their personal development, and this includes academics, etc. The role of Jewish Orthodox women revolves around the mentioned areas. However, the Halakha does not identify the specific duties and roles of women amongst the Orthodox Jews; however, the orthodox Jews believe that the Halakha only guides how women should live.