The Success of Judaism Essay -- essays research papers fc

Judaism has survived throughout history by being flexible and by admitting foreign influences into its practice. Its success in the 21st century depends on its ability to hold back doing this in response to the pressures of modernity.Judaism has endured the challenges imposed upon it, by its ability to preserve deep-rooted traditions of the past. It is through maintaining customs from preceding times that defines the foundations of modern day Judaic practice, be it through observance, prayer or habit. In combination to this, its capacity to be versatile and incorporate outside influence has served to maintain its popularity as a major world faith. In order to continue its future religious success, Judaism must persist upholding the traditions that it stands for. However, in the light of pressures of modernity that arise through social change, including wo mens lib and assimilation it must also incorporate aspects of outside influence to promote its popularity.Judaism has survive d through emerging itself as a faith of tradition, including those developed in some(prenominal) Diasporic times as well as the biblical period. It is through the upholding of various forms of tradition that has united the global Judaic population. This is unvarnished at heart prayer, observance and custom. As revealed through the practice of the Orthodox Jewish population, tradition plays a major part of defining the faith through the close following of Halakah. This is evident within the environment of Orthodox synagogue services women are prohibited from wearing pants, those who are married must cover their heads and a mekhitzah segregates the seating between men and women. Despite social change that has provided freedom from such restrictions, Orthodox Judaism has held onto these traditions, which dumbfound acted in defining it through perseverance. If such aspects were removed from the service, it would alienate the Orthodox Jewish community, as it is through such customs that have been observed throughout generations and therefore characterizes the continuing existence of the religion. It is not solely the Orthodox community that have relied upon tradition as a means to exist. Within all strands of Judaism, tradition has played a major part in the continue existence of the faith. This is evident in relation towards Jewish practice, such as through customs observed during festivals. This includes th... ...xistence. Ultra-Orthodox Jews largely disassociated themselves from mainstream American culture, which they viewed as a threat to Jewish identity. Judaism has continued and will continue to exist while there is a choice of denominations which will accommodate various needs and lifestyles. It is through the combination of maintaining elements of traditional continuity while incorporating aspects of modernity which leads to a popular faith. Although this suggests that Conservative Judaism stands as future of Jewish existence, it is because there are multiple movements within the faith that permits Judaism to continue to survive. With the differing variations of the Jewish faith, it provides and will continue to provide a choice to the modern Jew that reflects the lifestyle that he or she chooses to adopt.BibliographyScheindlin, Ray A Short History of the Jewish large number Oxford University Press (1998)Robinson, George Essential Judaism Pocket Books (2000)Freedman, Samuel Jew vs. Jew Simon and Schuster (2001)Bloom, Stephen G. Postville A Clash of Cultures in Heartland America Harcourt (2000)Harris, Lis Holy Days, The World of a Hassidic Family Simon and Schuster (1995)