Branches of Orthodox Judaism
"Traditional" can be either a synonym for Orthodox (especially
when using the dichotomy Traditional/Liberal), or a synonym for
"Conservadox." In Israel, "Traditional" is
equated with the MASORTI.
"Centrist/modern/cosmopolitan" (colloquially [sometimes
pejorative, sometimes affectionate] kipa sruga [crocheted
skull cap]). Adherents usually approve many aspects of secular
culture, especially secular education, in addition to traditional
Torah study. They tend to be Zionists. The precise term depends
on the speaker-Rabbi Norman Lamm uses "centrist," Rabbi
Shlomo Riskin uses "cosmopolitan" and Rabbi Emmanuel
Rackman uses "modern." The Union of Orthodox Jewish
Congregations, Yeshiva University, and the Rabbinical Council
of America in some sense represent this group. In Israel, the
Mizrachi organization is a wellknown representative.
"Yeshivish" (colloquially, [sometimes pejorative, sometimes
affectionate] "black hat" or "black") suggests
an Orthodox outlook in which the focus of life is Torah study,
as is done in Lithuanianstyle yeshivot. Secular culture
is either tolerated or criticized for its corrupting influences.
This group tends to be "nonZionist" in the sense
that they love the land of Israel and its holiness (many spend
years in Israel for Torah study), but are unenthusiastic about
secular Zionism and Israeli secular culture. Agudath Israel tends
to represent this group.
In Israel, the "Dati/Chareidi" distinction
is more a matter of attitude toward Zionism than of political
affiliation or religious views. The Dati tend to be more
supportive of Zionism, with the Chareidi not having much
belief in the modern Jewish state. Please note that these are
general positions; individual members may hold different views.
Source: Shamash: http://shamash.org/trb/judaism.html

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