WHAT IS ORTHODOX JUDAISM? [1 of 5] Of the Jewish religion’s three main branches that also include Reform and Conservative, Orthodox Judaism is the traditional practice that strictly follows the laws and ethics in the Talmud, or the Oral Law, which has been laid down by history’s Jewish leaders—rabbi’s—just men. So, Judaism is a system that focuses on following the traditions imposed by men, and not on the Word of God given to us in the Old and New Testaments. An Orthodox Jew generally adheres to the thirteen articles of faith and 613 mitzvahs (commandments). To be considered an Orthodox Jew, there are core practices that must be performed and acts to refrain from. The latter involve prohibitions against murder, idolatry, certain sexual practices, and many, many, many, many, many other things. Those in this Orthodox system are also plagued by a similar mentality to Christians who think they are a bound for heaven because they “mostly” obey the Ten Commandments, or because they are at least better than another person of their choosing, maybe “granting themselves” eternity in heaven just because they haven't killed anyone. This is the same misconception as an Orthodox Jew who believes they can work their own way to heaven. Orthodox Jews face a mountain of needed works, just a few of which are refraining from activities that violate the Jewish Sabbath and holidays, performing the required circumcision of males, and keeping dietary and family-purity laws, like only marrying someone that is also involved with the Jewish faith.