As its name suggests, Modern Orthodox Judaism explores the limits of Jewish law (halakha) in order to accommodate contemporary views.
Modern Orthodox Jews are far more open to maintaining relationships with non-Orthodox Jews, as well as the rest of the world. Contrary to most other Orthodox Jewish groups, Modern Orthodox Jews are more likely to embrace intellectual pursuits beyond traditional Jewish study of the Torah.
In the United States and most other Western countries, Modern Orthodox Judaism is represented by Centrist Orthodoxy based on considerations of the Torah and secular knowledge, a philosophy known as Torah Umadda. In Israel, it is dominated by largely reflected by Religious Zionism, an ideology that melds Orthodox Judaism and Zionism. The term refers to several movements representing a wide spectrum of related philosophies. While not one and the same, these movements share similar values and constituencies.
Modern Orthodox Jews strive to be full members of the modern world while avoiding sin in their personal lives, accepting that the benefits of being observant are worth the risks.
In Modern Orthodox Judaism, Jewish law is held to be binding, but interaction with modern society is considered beneficial. Modern Orthodox Jews are involved in community affairs, such as caring for the poor, attaching significance to being productive members of society while, at the same time, preserving the integrity of halakha.
Modern Orthodox Jews are typically Zionist in orientation, placing both religious and national significance in the nation of Israel.
In the past three or four decades, the political spectrum within Modern Orthodoxy has widened. Areas of difference include questions over the extent of cooperation with more liberal movements, the correct balance of religious and secular academic pursuits, the role of women in education and worship, and the appropriateness of modern textual criticism in the study of the Torah.
On the right side of the spectrum, Modern and Haredi Orthodoxy are similar, a trend that has been referred to as the haredization of Modern Orthodoxy.
Although they define themselves as centrist, Modern Orthodox institutions in the United States include the Orthodox Union, the Rabbinical Council of America, and the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary.
On the left end of the spectrum is the Open Orthodoxy, which places a greater emphasis on secular studies, global issues, and closer relationships with Jews from other movements. Women are taking on more leadership roles, and some members of this movement are engaged in social justice issues.
Some of those who identify themselves as Modern Orthodox Jews are behaviorally modern rather than ideologically modern, falling outside of Modern Orthodoxy in the philosophical sense. This trend is sometimes known as Social Orthodoxy. Ideologically Modern Orthodox Jews are meticulous in their observance of halakha, but Social Orthodox Jews are not so careful in their observance and are defined as Modern Orthodox only in the sense that they are neither Haredi or Conservative.
As you can see, Modern Orthodox Judaism can be stretched to accommodate highly differing views, from traditionalist to revisionist. Some elements of Modern Orthodoxy are receptive to messages that are generally identified as Haredi while at the other end of the scale there are those that are aligned with many of the traditions of Conservative Judaism.
Historically, Modern Orthodox Judaism is rooted in the teachings of Rabbi Azriel Hildesheimer and Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch and, more recently, with Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook. Other influences include Torah Umadda and, to a lesser extent, Religious Zionism.
Modern Orthodox Judaism is inclusive toward the society in general, and the larger Jewish community in particular. As compared to Haredi Judaism, Modern Orthodoxy is accommodating to modern living, secular scholarship, and science, although not necessarily welcoming. Modern Orthodox Judaism has an emphasis on Israel and on Zionism, particularly the religious significance of the land of Israel.
The Modern Orthodox and the Ultra-Orthodox regard halakha as divine in origin, although they differ somewhat in leniencies and strictures.
While Modern Orthodoxy aligns itself with Haredi Orthodoxy and Conservative Orthodoxy in some areas, it more clearly differs from the approaches of Reform Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism, which do not consider halakha to be binding and settled.
The focus of this category is on the Jewish movement known as Modern Orthodox Judaism and any of its sects. Due to the lack of clearly defined lines, any group that claims an affiliation with the Modern Orthodox Judaism movement is appropriate for this category or any subcategories.
Recommended Resources
Founded in 1870, the Modern Orthodox Jewish synagogue is situated in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, where the congregation adheres to Jewish tradition and Halacha while engaging the modern world. Its history and a profile are set forth, including holiday, service, and class schedules, a calendar of events, and announcements. Other resources include sermon audio, photographs, and board minutes.
https://www.asbi.org/
The Modern Orthodox and Zionist synagogue in Rochester, New York was founded in 1929. Membership policies and privileges are outlined, along with its bylaws, rabbis, leadership, and administrative contacts. Its community programs, educational opportunities, and committees are introduced, and holiday and program schedules are posted to the site. Contributions, dues, and other payments may be made online.
https://www.bethsholomrochester.org/
Working to further the vision and values of the Modern Orthodox Jewish community, the non-profit organization offers educational programs, leadership training, advocacy programs, and communications services. Headquartered in New York, New York, past and upcoming events are featured, along with the Edah Journal, its speaker’s referral service, educational opportunities, and several downloadable resources.
http://www.edah.org/
The Modern Orthodox synagogue in Mill Basin, Brooklyn, New York was founded in 1952. General information about modern Orthodoxy is set forth, and its membership policies, the board of trustees, and the rabbi are introduced. Holidays are described, along with other programs, such as its Flatbush Park Day Camp. Other resources include a photo album, an overview of the Mill Basin Community, news items, and administrative contacts.
https://www.fpjc.org/
The quarterly magazine is an official publication of the Orthodox Union, producing articles on Orthodox Jewish values and concerns, written by respected writers and thinkers in the Orthodox Jewish world. Its current and past issues may be viewed online, and its content may also be found through topic categories, such as family, religion, Jewish World, food, health, and opinion. Advertising policies are included.
https://jewishaction.com/
Located in downtown Washington, DC, the Modern Orthodox Jewish synagogue is the only Orthodox synagogue in downtown District of Columbia. Its history, mission, and values are summarized, and an introduction to its rabbi, staff, and lay leadership are included. Visitor and membership policies, dues, office hours, and contacts are included, along with its programs, schedules, and announcements.
https://www.kesher.org/
Offering religious, youth, social action, educational, public policy, and community development services, programs, and activities for the Orthodox Jewish community, the OU has facilities in New York, Los Angeles, Boca Raton, Washington DC, and Jerusalem. Its programs, initiatives, advocacy and action issues, and events are set forth, along with several informational articles, Jewish holidays, and contacts.
http://www.ou.org/
People for Orthodox Renaissance and Torah
PORAT is made up of lay and religious leaders of the Modern Orthodox Jewish community who advocate for inclusion in issues related to religious Zionism, gender equality, conversion to Judaism, the synthesis of secular culture and Jewish tradition, rabbinic authority, spirituality, relations with other denominations and faiths, and LGBT issues. Leadership contacts and a calendar of events are presented.
http://poratonline.org/
Rabbi Mintz founded Kehilat Rayim Ahuvim, a Modern Orthodox community in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York, and is also the director of 929 English, a web-based project that promotes the daily study of a chapter of Tanakh, and provides an opportunity for English-speaking Jewish people to discuss the daily chapter and a member of the Talmud faculty of Yeshivat Maharat. His books, articles, audio recordings, and a blog are included.
http://www.rabbimintz.com/
The RCA is one of the largest organizations representing Orthodox rabbis in the world. Affiliated with the Orthodox Union, it serves as a professional rabbinical association within Modern Orthodox Judaism. Its code of conduct, policies, and positions are stated, along with a member registry, rabbinic resources, photo galleries, and project reports. Commonly used forms and other documents may be downloaded or accessed through the site.
http://www.rabbis.org/
Also known as The Village Shul, the Cincinnati, Ohio congregation is a Modern Orthodox synagogue. An introduction to the congregation, its history, rabbi, the board of directors, a statement of principles, calendar of events, Torah study classes, prayer service schedules, directions, and other resources are set forth, along with administrative contacts, announcements, and information about contributing to its work.
http://www.shaareitorahcincy.org/
Published by the Rabbinical Council of America, Tradition is a journal of Orthodox Jewish thought, with subscription options for individual and institutional subscribers in the United States, Canada, and internationally, as well as online access subscriptions. The current issue is available to subscribers only but its archives, going back to 1958, may be viewed online without a subscription. Articles may be submitted for consideration.
http://www.traditiononline.org/
