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Abstract
Judaism is considered to be one of the oldest religions in the world. It is a form of religion that is always changing in order to feel the needs of a constantly changing world. This is in terms of the social changes and the different perceptions that people are developing in a world that is changing on a day to day basis. Judaism represents the history and further the civilization of the Jewish community. This is in terms of their culture and social set up. Judaism also represents the religion of the Jewish people. The main languages that are used in Judaism include Hebrew and Palestine. For the strict traditional Jews Judaism rituals and rotes are conducted in Hebrew. Hebrew is considered as sacred as it is the language which was used by the prophets to give the revelation of God to the Israelites. Jewish also believe that Hebrew is a language that can be used to change the destiny of they world. This makes the language more sacred.
Though Judaism is considered to be a unified religion, as is shown in history, it is not that simple. It includes a number of different ideas and notions joined together to form Judaism. Some of them include:
- Judaism involves various literatures that are read by the Jews
- The Israelites are the central poles that support Judaism
- Judaism is founded on a body of rules that are followed by the Jews
- Involves certain rituals and rites
- Morality is highly regarded.
- Judaism follows certain principles/doctrines.
Over the years Judaism has been divided into two, as a result of this transformation they are the traditional Jews and the modern Jews. This division is attributed to the interpretation of Judaism. But the two groups know that God is the overall in their religion. (Steinberg, 1988) In Judaism, God is given human attributes such as God is one and is the creator of all things. With this kind of foundation, Judaism therefore is against any idolatry in any form.
Introduction
The Jewish religion has been affected tremendously by the people of the United States of America. Before the 18th century, there was only one kind of Jewish religion which is now called Orthodox. The original Jewish religion meant abiding by 613 laws which guided the Jews lives and faith. The period of the late 18th century is known as ‘enlightenment’ period, because from then henceforth Jews in America developed a wide variety of alternate interpretations of their religion most of which divided the role of faith in their lives and led to a great reduction of Jewish religion practice. These alternatives and other developments, key among them the Holocaust caused a tremendous reduction of the orthodox especially its ranks to a small minority. The decline of the Jewish religion in America today as it is practiced in relation to other religious is attributable to or rather can be viewed in three main perspectives, namely the history of the Jews, the fragmentation of the Jewish religion and secularization of the American Society today.
The History of the Jews in America
In order to understand how Judaism has changed over the years, we need to know about the history of the Jewish religion in America and then look at how the religion is practiced today as well as the different trends that it has taken. When the United States of America gained independence, there were around 2500 Jews in America. But within a period of forty years, around 25,000 Jews had migrated to the United States from various countries including Bohemia and Germany. The number of the Jews in America grew larger because of the unfavorable religious conditions in Europe. This meant that the Jews who had migrated to Europe opted to migrate to America. Due to the increase in the number of Jews immigrants in America, the perception of the people in America changed. The first Jews group to migrate to America was the Sephardic Jews who were located along the coastal cities and helped to provide the much needed labor since they offered their services as shippers and merchants. This group assimilated itself very fast into the American society (Wade, 2002).
The American government had allowed the migration of different people in America in the spirit of trying to have a diverse culture. These ensured that the different groups were assimilated into the society. This was the first step that led to the reforms in Judaism. This is because of the European reforms that were brought in America by the German Jews. This move therefore led to the establishment of various Jewish institutions and seminaries. The Jews who trained in these institutions and seminaries would in turn take any job available to support the family. They worked in many different jobs which were physically demanding. The garment district in New York today was made from their sweat and determination. Low pay and long hours characterized their working conditions. Like any other people Jews sacrificed the Sabbath to work so as to support their families.
By the turn of the century, Anti-Semitic had begun to spread in America. Jews were informally denied entry into schools and other institutions of learning and even employment in particular professions and industries. The United States of America had placed limits on the number of Jewish immigrants per year between World War 1 and World War 11.
Zionism was a movement formed by the Jews as a way of trying to get a land. This had an impact on American Jewry by 1915; Zionism began to attract prominent American born figures, for example Louis D Brandeis. (The first year to serve on the Supreme Court) Brandeis and his contemporaries changed the belief that the Diaspora was bad. For Brandeis American and Zionist ideals complimented each other. Another Jew by the name of Mordecai Kaplan founded also helped in changing the trends of Judaism in America. This is by forming a movement (Jewish Reconstruction) which would help to change the beliefs about Judaism. He advocated for advancement in the Jewish rituals and practices. He recognized the need for Judaism to keep on changing in order to fit in the American society which is constantly changing. Judaism therefore had to adapt to these changes in order to feel the needs of the society in which it was being practiced.
Movement of Judaism in America in the 20th Century
Judaism is one of the religions that have undergone tremendous changes especially in America. This has especially been affected by the immigrations that took place in America and this therefore results in a society that is constantly changing. The movements in Judaism are therefore the different sects or denominations of Judaism that have come up due to the changes in the religion. In the Ancient times, there was the Maccabean revolt. The land of Israel was controlled by Greece and deeply influenced by Greek culture. The Hellenizing Jews were opposed by the Chhasideans who were a religion traditionalists group. The Selecicid Greeks began to oppress the Jews. War broke out and the Jewish people united in their opposition to Greeks.
The war continued for twenty five years and the Jews remained united for a purpose. The Essen’s were an Astic and mystical group devolved to strict discipline. He lived in seclusion from the world. Some people believed that the early Christianity was influenced by mystical and hermatical teachings of the Essenes. (Wade, 2002)
The Sadduces was formed from the Hellenistic Judaism. This was a movement made up of priests and the aristocrats of Jews society. Although they were religiously conservative, they were socially liberals. They believed in strict and unchanging interpretation of the Torah written. They did not believe in oral Torah. The temple and its sacrifices services were central to their worship.
Chasidism was considered a radical movement during the 16th century. However, opposition was from those held pre-existing view of Judaism. These were known as mitnagdim, which means opposition or opponents. Disputes between Chasidism and mitnagdim were often brutal. Today mitnagdim and chesidem relatively unite in their opposition to liberal modern movements. Orthodoxy and other liberal movement of Judaism today are being strongly influenced by charidic teachings. Redde is a spiritual leader of Chasidic sect. He is considerer to be more enlightened than other Jews. A Chasidic consults his Redde about life decisions. Chadisms lubaritcher chasidim are very vocal especially in the words of media, For example, an introduction to Chasidism in plain English has been written by a modern Breslover Chasid.
Modernization of the American Culture
The first Jews group to arrive in America did not support intermarriages between and among other groups. It was so bad that even a son or daughter who married into a different group was disinherited. But due to the changes that have taken place in Judaism, intermarriages are now acceptable. The intermarriages between the Jews and the gentles are now acceptable but they were almost impossible in the first years of the Jews migration into the United States. In the earlier years divorces was quite rare this is despite the fact of it being acceptable in the Jews community. This scenario has really changed because divorce is becoming like a common thing in marriages in America. This even includes the Jewish also.
Another thing that has affected the Jews religion is in terms of work. Traditionally it was the role of the husband or father to provide for is family. But over the years this has changed, as we see many women, mothers and wives alike, going to work and also assisting in the provision of the needs of the family. This is as a result of the liberation of the women in America and has thus given them the freedom to work (Wade 2002).
In the 1950’s and 1960’s most American Jews kept the religious festivities such as Kosher, this has changed over generations. Another issue which is a part of the Jewish – American religious generation gap is the Yiddish language. Most Jewish -American children do not know the Yiddish language. In the mid 20th century parents spoke Yiddish offer but they did not teach it to their children and this has contributed to the generation gap in terms of language. And consequently, today the language is rapidly dying because only specific generations are in a position to speak the language.
Today, Judaism in America is not taken as a way of life but rather as a religion. People are given choices on how and if to be Jewish. This is as a result of the contemporary lifestyle in America. Traditionally, being Jewish was a way of life and thing like learning about the Jewish rituals and traditions, observing certain holidays and going to the temple or joining a Jewish organization was not an option. There is just no one way of practicing Judaism (Barrett, 2001).
Fragmentation of the Jewish People
American has had an influence on new kind of Judaism making the traditional Jewish religion to be rushed to the near periphery. Judaism as it is found in the United State today is divided in several modern religious movements. It is only a small percentage of Jews who identify with more or less extremist traditional Jewish religion. Some prefer to remain ”secular” for ideological reasons. Some of these movements include:
Zionists and Zionism
Zionism is the desire to rebuild a Jewish national presence in the Promised Land. Many Jews who had no ties at all with religion became involved in the establishment of the state of Israel in the years just after World War II. Today there are Jews whose only tie to Judaism is their belief in Zionism and their support for the state of Israel. (Barrett, 2001)
Secular Judaism
Some Jews are ideologically secular. Some are atheists, that is, do not believe in the existence of a god. Some are agnostics, that is, they are unsure of whether or not God exists. These Jews albeit express their Jewish ties they do not maintain a lifelong membership in a synagogue or temple. This is possible because among world religious in America, Judaism is the only one that makes room for both atheists and agnostics to remain Jewish.
It is pointed out that there is no positive commandment in the Torah requiring a Jew to believe in God. According to the secular Jews, a person can theoretically live an exemplary Jewish life without a belief in God. Moreover a connection with the Jewish people is determined by birth, not by belief. But Nevsuer (1989) disagrees with this; Judaism is described as a way of life. This involves the observation of certain rites and rituals which are ordained by God. These practices are conducted in order for man to stay in tune with God. In this sense therefore Judaism should be understood to be more than a religion but a way of life and any one who practices this way of life then beliefs in it.
Judaism as a religion came into existence because the Israelites were obedient to god. God was their overall ruler and he made choices for them. This is the basis of Judaism. Since they accepted God as their leader, they in turn accepted his responsibility to sustain and obey him through this religion.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Jews claim to hold the true religion of Judaism. This type of the Jewish religion holds onto the original traditions of Judaism. Since it is the least organized of modern Jewish religious divisions it is far smaller than its counterparts. To the traditionalist Judaism was revealed completely on Mt. Sinai and cannot change. Under all the various ways it has been restated down the ages it has persisted as one and the same from Moses to the present time. To the modernist the law of change is universal and Judaism in not exception. It continues to grow. Traditionalists hold the view that the revelation of the Torah overflows into the rest of scripture and into classical Talmodic literature and in diminishing degree into later rabbinic writings. Both Torah book and the Torah tradition are divinely inspired. To the modernist they accept the rest of the scripture and tradition as generally inspired. It is not regarded as beyond criticism but the natural unfolding of a particular people’s pilgrimage from darkness to perception. It is a record of how people face and try to answer the deepest question of human existence.(Jacob, 2000)
Reform Judaism
Reform Jews believe that the Torah was written and edited by human beings. It’ does not hold that one must wear a kipper or one must pray 3 times a day like the orthodox. Its emphasis is on ethics, how a Jew should believe. It encourages women and men to condone to the same standards of ethical practice. Since currently it has the largest membership of Jews in the United States of America the practice of the traditional Jewish religion in America has greatly been reduced.
Reconstructionist Judaism
This movement broke away from the Conservative Judaism in the 1920’s. In it’s philosophy, re constructionist Judaism. In practice, however it adheres closely to conservatives. The re constructionist Jews sent their children to public schools. It is a staunch supporter of women’s rights in Judaism. Women in the re constructionist rabbis (as opposed to the original Jewish religion), the first ordination of a re constructionist woman rabbi was held in 1974.
The only two movements that still manifest the pure Jewish religion as it were are the conservative movement and Hasidic Judaism. These are radical right wing movements in the history of Judaism through the last gasp of movements which once brought new vigor to the Jewish world. Ironically they have very small numbers to enable Judaism in America to reinvigorate and reclaim its spiritual heritage. (Wade, 2002)
Jewish Women and Judaism
In 1654, Jewish women first arrived in North America as refugees. A boatland of refugees’ four women six men and 13 children fleeing Dutch Brazil after its conquest by the Portuguese landed in New Australia, now New York City. Most to the refugees know as Sephardim returned to Holland and sailed for the West Indies where they were unable to maintain a viable community of their own in New Amsterdam.
During the colonial Era, public Judaism was reserved for males. Women expressed their religion in the homes. They were the keepers of the spiritual legacy. They however publicly founded first female Hebrew benevolent society established in 1819 or the first Hebrew Sunday school in 1938.Towards the end of the nineteenth century; women especially the middle class played a very important role in philanthropic life. They manifested the role of pure and pious homemakers who stressed the ethical rather than ritual and ceremonial. (Barrett, 2001)
In the twentieth century, the new America Jewish women, basically of German descent sought higher education, as a way of expressing Judaism and give solutions to the challenges of the progressive era. Hannah G Solomon (1858 – 1942) founded the National council of Jewish in 1893 at the world’s parliament of religions in Chicago. The movement created mission schools and settlement houses and provided aid for newly arrived Jewish immigrant women and children. In 1881 and 1921, more than two million Jewish immigrants in family units came to the United States of America.
By 1920, Jewish women had concentrated in the large urban centers. Most of the women, made a living in the garment industry and sweatshops. Many of the Jewish women took advantage of higher education and became teachers, physicians, dentists or lawyers. Other first generation Jewish women become union leaders and political radicals.
By this period, marriage was held in high esteem by most American Jewish women. Most Jewish homemakers were filled with child bearing, local female mutual aid societies and involvement in religious life. They did this primarily through synagogue auxiliaries and women groups such as the National council of Jewish women. (Barrett, 2001)
By 1963, American Jewish women began to be involved in Feminism movements. Some women participated in campus upheavals, civil rights marches and protests against the Vietnamese war. Currently the Jewish population of the United States numbers about six million individual. Jewish women in this group try to adapt to the changes and challenges as they seek new ways to maintain their Jewish identities. The introduction of reform into American Judaism was associated with immigrants from Germany and other parts of Europe following the republican revolutions of 1830 and 1848.
Personalities That Have Shaped the Jewish Religion in America
The Reform Judaism is often associated with German born rabbis such as David Einhorn of Baltimore and Issac Marge wise of Cucinnati. The other stars of America reform had roods in congregation K.K Beth Elohim in Charleston, South Carolina. (Barrett, 2001)
In 1824, forty seven Charleston Jews petitioned the leaders of betheloim for major changes in the Sabbath service. They were led by Isaac Herby. They asked that each Hebrew player in service be immediately followed by an English translation. This they argued would reflect the contemporary American life that would explain the scriptures and apply them to everyday life. They also sought for the service to be shortened. Isaac (1978) became a notable teacher, playwright, literary critic’s journalist and newspaper editor.
To make Judaism more accessible, Harby and his fellow revolutionists who criticized the services at Beth Elohim had become more American. They said that they had become more like protestant churches through retaining orthodoxy’s core liturgy and teachings. They wished to worship no longer saying that this was being slaves of bigotry and priest craff albeit being in an enlightened world
Meeting at separate site, the reformed society of Jews wrote their own prayer book. They introduced music into service and worshiped without head covering. Isaac Harby was an orator and active leader of the society. In 1827 he became their president. (Barrett, 2001)
The spirit of reform in Charleston did not die with Issac Harby in 1828. The Great organ controversy split the Judaism congregation. Thirty eight members petitioned the synagogue trustees’ that an organ be erected in the synagogue to assist in the vocal part of the service. This would not go down with the synagogue leadership who claimed that playing the organ during the service would violate the injunction against labor on Shabbat.
The reformers, following the congregations by laws, convened a general meeting and after much debate a two third majority reversed the decision.
The Socio – Economic lives of Jews in America
The cost of living for Jewish Americans is very high and the only way it can be lowered is by taking their children to after school programs such as evening classes instead of day school programs. Jack Wertheimer studied Jewish Education in the late 1990s and found out that of approximately 1.1 million Jewish children in America about 180000 attend day school while the rest attend after school programs. Jewish in America are required to live in urban centers with other Jews so that local Jewish institution can be supported. Only 5 % of America Jewish lives in small town or rural areas as a result of this. In fact finding a home in a neighborhood in which other Jews live and where a synagogue is located becomes an add value to the social- Economic life of Jews in America.
The bottom line however is, as a Jew to live in America is costly. Those who place premium on Jewish living will have to make sacrifices necessary to afford it no matter what their level of income. But those who are well off financially do not require significant sacrifices. 10% of America Jewry is orthodoxy. These, have accumulated less wealth and earn less money that other non-orthodox Jews. Notwithstanding their level of income, the orthodox Jews in America manage to send their children to Jewish schools, pay synagogue fees and keep Kosher. They also have large families. It is estimated that orthodox Jews in America spend 25-35% of their income on Jewish living expenses. This leaves them with less income to use on housing, clothing, cars and even savings. Orthodox Jews have managed to find ways of helping to make the Jewish education accessible and affordable to their community. For the other 90% Jews in America (non-orthodox) cost is a barrier to Jewish living kind of expenses. The high cost of Jewish living is a greater cost to be born by the Jewish families with low income.
Conclusion
Developments in the Jewish history and other alternatives have led to the decline in the Judaism as a religious group. Jews in America have been prominently involved in both national and communal affairs which has through the years changed their way of life key among them Judaism as a religion. Today Judaism is taken as a religion but not a way of life. People have been given a chance of choosing how to be Jewish. This is because of the way Judaism has been influenced by the different changes in the world. For instance due to the migrations that took place over the years, people are living behind their way of life and are now practicing other things. For example for the Jewish living in America they have to work hard in order to earn a living. This has meant that they are practicing less of their religious but in the real sense want to be identified as Jewish.
The changes in their way of life have also contributed to Judaism becoming less of a religion and more of a lifestyle. For instances women have taken up other jobs apart from their domestic work. This means that they have less time to practice Judaism.
Due to the socio-economic situation of the Jews, it is clear from what has been indicated earlier that the availability of a synagogue is not very possible for the Jews. This makes it even harder for them to practice Judaism. The above information illustrates why Judaism is becoming more secular and less religious in the American society. And further illustrates the factors that further contribute to this situation.
References
Barrett, D. (2001): World Christian Encyclopedia, London, Oxford university press.
Jacob, N. (2000): Torah from Our Sages, Chicago, Chicago University press.
Leo, T. (1999): Judaism: Development and Life, New York, McGraw-Hill.
Martin, E.(2004). Modern American Religion, New York, McGraw-Hill.
Neil, G. (1996): The Way into Encountering Judaism, New York, St Martins Press.
Nevsuer, J. (1989): Judaism in the beginning of Christianity, Philadelphia, Fortress press.
Norman, S. (1996): Judaism and world, Religion, London, Macmillan.
Steinberg, M. (1988): Basic Judaism, New York, Harcourt Brace.
Wade, C. (2002). Contemporary American Religion, New York, Prentice Hall.
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