The Evolving Diversity of Jewish Individual and Community

Goldberg, "Bonds of Community and Individual Lives"

Over time, as diversity within Judaism began to result from sources other than geographic separation, Judaism transformed from its existence as a unifying title to its modern-day connotation of infinite variety. Ancient Judaism was centered on the “tribe,” a single Temple, and its according authorities. In the Middle Ages, as Jews began to settle around the world, individual communities invented their own religious and cultural authority, governed by rabbinic law. The individual only had personal religious choice within the communal norms necessary in societies so divided between Jew and Gentile. During the Renaissance, inward acculturation and increased interaction between Jews and Gentiles brought an increased concept of the individual to Jewish societies. Mystical writings, an increased social presence of women, and autobiographical writings began to contribute to diversity in Judaism.

Jewish emancipation during the Enlightenment gave Jews the opportunity to not only make religious choices within Judaism but between Judaism and other religions. Nationality entered Jewish identity, and with it, new interpretations of Judaism arose within Jewish communities that were not physically separated from the rest of society. Different groups of Jews developed laws and authority according to their feelings toward their religion and culture. The establishment of the state of Israel and to modern technology led to even more diversity in Jewish belief and practice. With the freedom of individual choice always comes the confusion about how far to let that freedom go. As always, such freedoms lead to battles within individuals and communities and contribute to the strong dialectic of ritual transformation.