Hashkafa

'outlook'; plural hashkafot, hashkafos, hashkafas) is the Hebrew term for worldview and guiding philosophy, used almost exclusively within Orthodox Judaism.

In that it guides many practical decisions—where to send children to school, what synagogue to attend, and what community to live in—hashkafa works in conjunction with halakha or Jewish law.

Other hashkafas include Torah im Derech Eretz, Talmidei haRambam, Carlbachian, and Open Orthodoxy.

Non-Hasidic Haredi Jews, also called Yeshivishe, Misnagdim, or Litvaks, belong to a stream of Orthodox Judaism that essentially rejects modern secular culture.

The emphasis is on Torah study and exact observance of halakha, and secular interactions are thus limited to the practical, such as (circumscribed modes of) earning a living.

Thus, here: Hasidism was founded in Western Ukraine during the 18th century by Rabbi Israel Ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov, and spread rapidly throughout Eastern Europe.

It arose as a spiritual revival movement, emphasizing the importance of joy and happiness at worship and religious life, and the need to cleave and be one with God at all times.

Others view secular knowledge as a worthwhile endeavor as long as it serves a practical end, such as learning biology to become a physician.

Modern Orthodox Jews view their interactions with the world around them and the development of society as an integral part of their theology.

Hashkafas that more readily incorporate modern thought into Jewish life, tend to believe in greater gender equality.

Many women, especially within the Hasidic community, take pride in their unique role as homemakers, and make their family and children their main focus.

Since the emergence of the Zionist movement, many questions have arisen about the permissibility of an autonomous Jewish state in the Land of Israel prior to the arrival of the Messiah.

Religious Zionists and Modern Orthodox Jews view the State of Israel as the first step in the process of redemption; Torat Eretz Yisrael is a body of writing devoted to this topic.

Members of most Haredi and Hasidic groups wear black velvet or cloth yarmulkes (skullcaps; in Hebrew kippot, sing.

In that sense of the word, the term hashkafa is significant to almost all Jewish denominations that mutually associate with certain principles listed in the Torah, especially on a humanistic and philosophical level.