Rabbinic Judaism: The Mainstream Form of Judaism Since the 6th Century CE

Origins and Beliefs

Rabbinic Judaism, also known as Rabbinism, has been the dominant form of Judaism since the 6th century CE. It emerged from Pharisaic Judaism and is based on the belief that Moses received the Written Torah (Pentateuch) and an oral explanation, known as the Oral Torah, from God at Mount Sinai.

Development and Spread

Rabbinic Judaism gained prominence within the Jewish diaspora between the 2nd and 6th centuries. The development of the oral law and the Talmud allowed for the interpretation of Jewish scripture and the practice of Judaism in the absence of Temple sacrifice and other practices.

Conservative Judaism

Conservative Judaism emerged in 19th-century Germany as a response to the liberal positions of Reform Judaism. It emphasizes the divine origin of the Torah and Talmud and mandates the observance of Jewish law (halacha), while also accepting modern scholarship in analyzing Jewish texts.

The Importance of Scripture

Jews are known as the"People of the Book" After the destruction of the Second Temple, Jewish religious life centered around the study of scriptures and prayer in the synagogue. The Torah, Talmud, and other Jewish writings provide guidance on Jewish history and divine commandments (mitzvot).

Monotheism and Transcendence

Judaism is a monotheistic religion that believes in one transcendent God who revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets. Jewish life is guided by Scriptures and rabbinic traditions.

The Synagogue

In Rabbinic Judaism, the synagogue is the Jewish house of prayer. It contains a bimah (table for Torah reading), a desk for the prayer leader, and a Torah ark (cabinet for Torah scrolls). Prayer and Torah reading are central to Jewish liturgy.