Hashkafah

''Hashkafa'' ( he, השקפה, lit., "outlook"; plural ''hashkafot'', ''hashkafos'', ''hashkafas'') is the Hebrew term for worldview and guiding philosophy, used almost exclusively within Orthodox Judaism. A ''hashkafa'' is a perspective that Orthodox Jews adopt that defines many aspects of their lives. ''Hashkafa'' thus plays a crucial role in how these interact with the world around them, and influences individual beliefs about secularity, gender roles, and modernity. 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.

''Hashkafot''

Although there are numerous hashkafas ("70") within Orthodox Judaism, they may be grouped broadly as Haredi, Hasidic and Modern Orthodox / Religious Zionist, with different approaches and emphases concerning specific topics. Other ''hashkafas'' include ''Torah im Derech Eretz'', '' Talmidei haRambam'', Carlbachian, and Open Orthodoxy.

Modern Orthodox

Both Modern Orthodoxy and Religious Zionism are ''Hashkafot'' where the Torah community interfaces substantively with the secular, modern world, each from its own perspective, and with much overlap. Although not identical, these share many of the same values and practices.
*Modern Orthodox is a stream of Orthodox Judaism that attempts to "synthesize" the secular, modern world with traditional Jewish values and the observance of ''halakha'', or Jewish law. Modern Orthodox Jews value secular knowledge and are culturally, educationally and politically, as well as practically, engaged in society. See Torah Umadda.
*Religious Zionism combines Zionism and Torah observance, and views secular activities in support of the State of Israel - including military service - as religiously important. Adherents are thus similarly engaged with secular Israeli society and are active in politics.
Modern Orthodoxy traces its roots, to the late 1800's works of Rabbis Azriel Hildesheimer and Samson Raphael Hirsch, and in the 20th century, to the teachings and philosophy of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik. Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook's thinking - as well as the writings and interpretations of his son Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook - are foundational to religious Zionism, and also influential on Modern Orthodoxy.
See and .

Haredi Judaism

Haredi Judaism, also called ''Yeshivishe'', '' Misnagid'', or ''Litvishe'', is a stream of Orthodox Judaism that essentially rejects modern secular culture. In contrast to Modern Orthodox Jews who embrace the modern world ( within limits), ''Haredim'' follow a strict reading by segregating themselves from modern society. 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.

There is however a gradation here: especially in Israel, Haredis are fully separated from secular society; in the Western world, Haredi life often realizes as ''Torah U’Parnasah'', "Torah combined with a livelihood", sometimes extending to professional life with its requisite education, although many do choose full time ''kollel'' (Torah study) as in Israel.

Haredi Judaism emerged in response to the Jewish assimilation and secularization during the Enlightenment era with hopes to decrease the influence of secular society on Judaism; see and for discussion re practice, .

Hasidic Judaism

Hasidic Judaism is a stream of Orthodox Judaism that focuses on spirituality and Jewish mysticism as a fundamental aspect of faith. Similar to ''Haredim'', this community emphasizes observance of ''halakha'', and are insulated from the secular; in distinction though, their outlook, and hence practices, are influenced by their mysticism.
As with the Haredi world, there is similarly a gradation re engagement with secular society: some branches such as Chabad and Breslov are actively engaged; groups such as Satmar are entirely isolated, often living in their own enclaves or even towns.

Hasidic practice, as mentioned, differs somewhat from that of the Haredi world, in that Hasidim additionally emphasize
(i) the relationship with their ''Rebbe'' (and correspondingly the literature emphasized),
(ii) spiritually-directed individual practices such as ''Hitbodedut'' (meditation) and ''Mikveh'' ( ritual immersion),
and (iii) communal activities, such as the ''Tish / Farbrengen''.
They may also (often) be recognized by their distinctive black garb, and their use of Yiddish as the vernacular.

Hasidism was founded in 18th-century Western Ukraine during the 18th century by Rabbi Israel Ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov