Worship Flashcards
The synagogue - plan of an orthodox synagogue
On iBooks
Differences between orthodox synagogue and reform synagogue
The main reason to how they are different is because orthadox is more strict and more rules apply then reform.
Gender separation. Orthodox Synagogues hold services with men and women seated in separate sections. This separation is imposed in order to maintain modesty and attention. Reform synagogues allow for the mixing of its congregants.
Female Rabbis. In the Orthodox tradition, the prominent religious roles like that of Rabbi and Cantor are reserved for men. The Reform movement has female Rabbis and Cantors.
Music during services. Instrumental music is not permitted during Synagogue services in the Orthodox movement, but it is permitted and common in Reform services.
Skullcap. Because of the Orthodoxy’s literal interpretation of Jewish law, more Orthodox men (the observant ones) regularly wear skullcaps (or kippot or yarmukle). In general, fewer Reform men wear kippot and are more likely to do so in Synagogue but not in their regular life. Female Reform Jews may wear yarlmulke as well as other religious items like prayer shawls (tallitot) that traditionally was only worn by men.
Definition of a Jew. The Orthodox hold the traditional definition that requires one to have a Jewish mother or complete an Orthodox conversion to be considered a Jew. Reform Jews also hold those with Jewish fathers who were raised Jewish to also be considered a Jew.
Dietary laws. Typically, Orthodox followers better adhere to Jewish dietary laws (kashrut), which includes among many things not eating dairy and meat together, and eating only certain types of animals slaughtered in accordance with halacha. The Reform position permits the individual to determine whether and how much to observe it. As a result, Reform Jews vary from a strict adherence to kashrut to only avoiding pork to not following it at all.
