Orthodox Judaism in North America: Issues of Internal Conflict

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to identify and discuss those ideological issues which divide Jewish Orthodox opinion today in North America. Using a short 1978 article by Shubert Spero entitled Orthodox Judaism. which identified four major areas of conflict within Orthodoxy, as a starting point, I endeavour to expand upon, verify, and update Spero's findings to the present situation, thus filling an important gap in the sociological literature of North American Orthodox Judaism. Beginning with a historical introduction to Orthodox Judaism and a general discussion of the present sociological composition of North American Orthodoxy, I proceed to devote one short chapter for each of the several issues to be discussed. In conclusion, the seriousness of the divisions within Orthodoxy are assessed in terms of the effect they may have on the total unity and stability of the Orthodox movement in North America.