A brief overview on everything about Orthodox Jews

What is so unique about Orthodox Jews?
Let me start by listing just a few of their rituals. They go to Synagogue Three times a day (!), most of them will always wear some type of skullcap (Yarmulkeh or Kipah in hebrew) on their head, and one week of the year they will take a branch of a palm tree with three other species and wave it around to all sides.

Orthodox Jews are very unique in their lifestyle. They are very family oriented and lead warm and loving large families. Honoring parents and devotion for their children's humble and honest upbringing is a core orthodox judaism belief.

Where are they located?

The largest population of orthodox Jews are in Israel, then followed by USA, and finally in some Eastern European countries. Their population reaches close to One Million and growing. According to a research done by Professor Joshua Comenetz from The University of Florida the Ultra-orthodox Jewish population doubles every 20 years.

Approximately 10 percent of the Jewish population in the US is orthodox. According to research by a University of Manchester academic, orthodox British and American Jews are set to outnumber their more secular counterparts by the second half of this century.

Do you want to know where an orthodox Jew lives? I will tell you a secret. Look at the door post, if you see a small Mezuzah a piece of plastic or wood with a parchment rolled inside, connected on the right side, then you know. There is an orthodox Jew living in that house.

All Orthodox Jews believe in one God (Hashem) and that the Jews are his chosen people. They Believe that there is only one way to interpret Judaism, which is the orthodox way. All other streams like reform and conservative Judaism are later developed approaches that have no right and place in Judaism religion.

Kashrut stands for the laws of eating. Orthodox Jews will only eat Kosher food that is permitted in the Torah. They won't eat pork at all, any other animal that wasn't slaughtered under Rabbinical Supervision and many kinds of fish.

While some of the ultra-orthodox are educated and encouraged to stay away from the outside world, by not allowing TV's or Computers at home, the modern-orthodox encourage their youngsters to go to college, grow up doctors, lawyers or any other profession, and be a role model for the world.

It all starts by a baby boy when he is eight days old! That is the exact day when the baby will be brought in Shul, or Synagogue and be circumcised - have a Brit Millah. A baby girl will have a Kiddush, a special celebration, the Sabbath following her birth.

By some orthodox Jews, at age three, a boy will have a special Jewish haircutting ceremony. It is also known as "chalaka". A yarmulke and tzitzis will be worn from now on, and the child will be taught to read the Hebrew alphabet.

At age twelve a girl will become bat-mitzvah. This is when she reaches adulthood age according to Judaism. This is the age where she becomes obligated to all laws in Judaism religion.

The same is by a boy when he turns thirteen. This is the age when he will turn Bar Mitzvah. The Bar Mitzvah will be celebrated in Shul, or Synagougue, where the Bar Mitzvah boy will read from the Torah scroll his first time and will start putting on tefillin.

The wedding in orthodox Judaism is led by a special ceremony called a Chuppah. Where the groom will give a ring for the bride under a nice canopy, the Kettubah will be read and a glass will be broken.

The holidays in the Jewish Calendar are as follows:

There is lots and lots of more to learn. Orthodox Jews study the laws of orthodox Judaism their whole life. So, do you expect to know it all just by reading this home page? Read our many pages explaining many details and enjoy! Still have questions about orthodox Jews? You are welcome to contact us and we will try to help you.

You will find lots of info and helpful articles. Just look around, learn and have fun!