Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Jews and Reform Jews are two groups within Judaism. While they share the same faith, they practice and interpret Jewish traditions differently.

Introduction

Orthodox Jews tend to follow Jewish traditions and laws very strictly. They believe in following the Torah, the Jewish holy book, and its commandments exactly as they have been passed down through generations. Orthodox Jews often have separate seating for men and women in synagogues and may speak mainly Hebrew during religious services. They observe kosher dietary laws and follow traditional rituals and customs carefully.

A Day in the Life

A day in the life of an Orthodox Jew in the UK usually starts early in the morning. They wash their hands and say morning prayers to thank God for a new day. Sometimes, they also recite special morning prayers.

After getting ready, they might have a special breakfast with kosher foods, following the dietary laws of Judaism. Kosher food is prepared in a certain way and meets specific rules, like avoiding pork or shellfish, using separate dishes for meat and dairy, and eating only kosher-certified meat.

Next, they might go to a Jewish school, where they study Jewish subjects, Hebrew, and general subjects like maths and science. Education is very important, and they focus on both religious and secular studies.

Throughout the day, Orthodox Jews stop to pray at set times—morning, afternoon, and evening. They often use a siddur, a special prayer book, to guide them.

In the evening, they might attend synagogue services, coming together with their community to pray and learn. The synagogue is an important place to connect with faith and community.

During the day, they try to follow Jewish laws and commandments, including being kind to others, giving to charity, and studying the Torah.

Before going to bed, they might say bedtime prayers, such as the Shema, and reflect on their day. They prepare to start a new day, following the traditions and teachings of their faith.