| rdfs:comment | - Orthodox Judaism is characterized by belief that:
* the Torah and its laws are Divine, were transmitted by God to Moses, are eternal, and are unalterable.
* there is an oral law in Judaism, which contains the authoritative interpretation of the written Torah's legal sections, and is also Divine by virtue of having been transmitted by God to Moses along with the Oral Law, as embodied in the Talmud, Midrash, and innumerable related texts, all intrinsically and inherently entwined with the written law of the Torah;
* God has made an exclusive, unbreakable covenant with the Children of Israel to be governed by the Torah;
* adherence to Halakha, or Jewish law, includes accepting codes, mainly the Shulchan Aruch, as authoritative practical guidance in application of both the writte
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| abstract | - Orthodox Judaism is characterized by belief that:
* the Torah and its laws are Divine, were transmitted by God to Moses, are eternal, and are unalterable.
* there is an oral law in Judaism, which contains the authoritative interpretation of the written Torah's legal sections, and is also Divine by virtue of having been transmitted by God to Moses along with the Oral Law, as embodied in the Talmud, Midrash, and innumerable related texts, all intrinsically and inherently entwined with the written law of the Torah;
* God has made an exclusive, unbreakable covenant with the Children of Israel to be governed by the Torah;
* adherence to Halakha, or Jewish law, includes accepting codes, mainly the Shulchan Aruch, as authoritative practical guidance in application of both the written and oral laws, as well as acceptance of halakha-following Rabbis as authoritative interpreters and judges of Jewish law; and
* Jewish eschatology is sacred. Orthodox beliefs may be seen in their adherence to the thirteen Jewish principles of faith as stated by the Rambam (Maimonides). Although Orthodox Jews are expected to observe all 613 mitzvot, certain core practices are generally considered essential to being Orthodox:
* Refraining from murder, idolatry, and certain biblically prohibited sexual practices, such as adultery, homosexuality and incest, at the cost of life if necessary (see self-sacrifice in Jewish law).
* Observing Shabbat, by refraining from activities that violate the Jewish sabbath, and Jewish holidays.
* Practicing Kashrut, the Jewish dietary laws.
* Following Taharat Hamishpacha, the laws of family purity, restricting sexual relations for a prescribed period around menstruation and after childbirth; and
* Circumcision for males.
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