Orthodox Judaism – The religion followed by those who adhere most strictly to traditional beliefs and practices

Note: Orthodox Jews do not accept that the Bible and other Jewish writings contain historically and culturally conditioned adaptations and interpretations of events; they take a very literal view of scriptures.

To remember the meaning of Orthodox Judaism in Judaism, use the following mnemonic:

The author was at the docks on the due day (Orthodox Judaism) to study if the dock workers strictly followed traditional practices.

Orthodox Judaism is the religion of those who stick very strictly to traditional Jewish beliefs and practices.

While all branches of Judaism share many common beliefs and traditions, Orthodox Jews believe that the written law (the Torah) and the oral law (codified in the Mishna and interpreted in the Talmud) are fixed and must remain the norm for religious observance.

Orthodox Judaism resists pressure to modify its observance and holds on to such practices as daily worship, dietary laws, traditional prayers and ceremonies, regular and intensive study of the Torah, and separation of men and women in the synagogue.

Orthodox rabbis have challenged the legitimacy of some non-Orthodox marriages, divorces, and conversions on the grounds that they violate Jewish law.