Judaisme, Islam, Christianisme orthodoxes en France et de la monde.

Regard sur les religions orthoxes dans le monde, Islam, Judaisme et christianisme.

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Orthodox religions - report

The term orthodox judaism, covers the beliefs and practises of jews faithful to the written and oral law, given to Moses on Mount Sinaď.

Photo reporting in France

The Habad movement (lubavitch) was born in Bielorussie in eastern Europe, the orgins of which go back to the very beginning of hassidic judaism. Established in France in the 1960’s, it now gathers more than 20.000 members.

The jews pray three times a day. In groups or alone, in a synagogue or at home and always in the direction of Jerusalem.For the morning prayer on weekdays, men wear a shawl of prayer with fringes, called the tallith and phylacteries, called tefillim, customs inspired by various parts of the Bible.To respect God, men cover their heads during prayers with a hat or a cap. The religious jews wear it all the time to testify of the permanent divine presence.A young boy and his father in a synagogue during the morning prayer. For the first time, the child on his birthday will have the privilege of reading with the adultsIn a Yeshiva (talmudic school), a religious jew studies a text of the Torah.Text of the Torah, a page-marker representing a big pussy cat faces a page-marker with the picture of the Lubavitch rabbi, Menachem Mendel Schneerson.A moment of relaxation for Isaac, lubavitch jew and his young son, between prayer and study.Before putting the children to bed, a mother checks that everything is according to the religious rules. washing and prayer done.Judaism has its roots in the hebrew bible, including the Torah or Pentateuc.A series of blessings called Tefillah (prayer) Amidah (prayer standing), or Shemoneh Esreh.A big feast is held for a child when three years old. In class, surrounded by his friends, a rabbi comes to give him a blessing.Male circumcision involves the partial or total removal of the foreskin, leaving the glans penis exposed. This social practice has existed in many ancient religions.

Orthodox judaism maintains the traditional vision of the Talmud as the true expression of the oral law transmited to Moses together with the Torah.

Marriage is the most important fundemantals of jewish tradition. It is at the origin of a family which at all times has been the link for the continuity of the jewish people.A farbrengen is a big meal bringing together all the community. It is a moment of joy and festivity. Men eat, drink and dance till exhaustion.A farbrengen is a big feast bringing together all the community. It is a moment of joy and festivity. Men eat, drink and dance till exhaustion.Kiddush is a blessing recited over wine or grape juice to sanctify the Shabbat and Jewish holiday.In the Yeshiva (Talmudic school) Brunoy, men pray during the evening prayer. The day is marked by many prayers from sunrise to sunset.n the Yeshiva (Talmudic school) Brunoy, men pray during the evening prayer. The day is marked by many prayers from sunrise to sunset.


The jewish prayer sevices are recited in community, and are an important element in the practice of judaism. These prayers are transcribed in the siddour (traditional jewish book of prayer), often supported by instructions and comments.

A yechivah, or yeshivah, is a study centre for the Torah and the Talmud in orthodox judaism. Each yeshiva is managed by a rabbi.During Pourim, in the small synagogue of Yerres, lubavitch jews read the story of queen Esther.During the feast of Souccoth (feast of the huts), a man prays holding a myrtle, a palm branch, a willow leaf and a citron.Isaac tells the story of Souccoth to his two nephews. The child takes in his hand a myrtle, a palm branch, a willow leaf and a citron, with which he will recite a prayer.

Feast of Pourim

Photo reporting in France

Pourim is a jewish feast which commemorates the liberation of the jews by the king of Persia after the conspiracy of the vizir, Haman, to exterminate the jews, as written in the book of Esther (Méguila). The jews were under the domination of Persia after the fall of Babylon where they were kept in captivity since the 6th century before J-C.

Feast of Pourim. Disguise is an echo to the confusion of the senses, just like showing that no one knows who is who.Pourim commemorates the liberation of the jewish people from Haman’s, prime minister of King Assuerus, plans to kill all the jewsPourim. Custom for disguise appeared in Italy towards the end of the 15th century influenced by the roman carnaval. The jews commemorate the life of queen Esther.Pourim is a jewish feast which commemorates the liberation of the jews by the king of Persia from the conspiracy led by Haman, his vizir.Pourim commemorates the liberation of the jewish people from Haman’s, prime minister of King Assuerus, plans to kill all the jews.Pourim celebrates the miracle which saved the jews of Persia, towards year 480.

The jews of Novardok

Twenty ultra orthodox jews, called Novardok, live near Meaux in France. They study the Torah all day long.

The Novardok movement is one of many judaism orthodox movements. Before world war, there were 5 million jews in Russia and Ukraine. The jewish communities living in certain villages practised religion in “their own way” They each had their own habits and customs, related to the teaching of the rabbis. The Novardok community came from a small village called Novardok. Their way of prayer is similar to that of other jewish orthodox trends, except for their particularity to pray and cry when they recall the suffering of the jewish people and the misfortunes of Israel. They study all day, TV, radio or any magazines are forbidden. The Torah is the only book of reference where an answer to all questions can be found.

An old rabbi studying the Torah in a mobil home. He prepares his Talmud lesson (biblical study) which he will later teach to his students at the Yeshiva.Three teenagers relaxing between two classes on the Torah. At their age, hebrew and yiddish are two languages they perfectly understand.Nathanael teaching Talmud to two pupils. Talmud is the oral text of the law which explains the written text.A father checking the.degree of knowledge of his sons. Rigour and play, learning is often easier for small children.Curls are locks of hair (one on each side) worn by jewish orthodox men and boys. This custom is part of 613 commandments.Curls are locks of hair (one on each side) worn by jewish orthodox men and boys. This custom is part of 613 commandments.The jews of Novardok mix prayers and tears. During the prayers, when recalling the suffering of the jewish people, men scream and cry like being torn apart..Six days out of seven, prayers and study of the Torah fill the lives of men and women, the 7th day devoted to resting.Three teenagers checking on the chicken born a few days ago. Playing together in front of the apparatus, they are called back to their studies by their master.Two young Novardok jews discussing in their building stairway. Nathanael and his friend are discussing about their future. Nathanael is getting married in a few months.A father checking the prayers of “Shema Israel” recited by his children every night before going to bed.In the small synagogue, men take off their hats and coats to feel at ease whilst praying.


The Baal Shem Tov is the founder of the Hassidim movement. He had a dream where he saw the Mashia (the Messiah) who entrusted him with the mission to spread judaism over the world so that he may come on earth.
The teaching of Baal Shem Tov is perpetuated by several hassidim trends. The most known are Habad, Braslav, Satmar, Belz, Vishnitz and Gour.

The Jews of Novardok mix prayers and tears. When recalling the suffering of the jewish people, the men scream and cry like being torn apart.One can study alone or with somebody in order to exchange and go thoroughly into the texts of the Torah.Each day of the week, the young man will pray and study the Torah, except on Shabbat.Family is very important in the jewish religion. It represents the identity of the jewish people and its values.The jews of Novardok mix prayers and tears. When recalling the suffering of the jewish people, the men scream and cry like being torn apart.Moment of relaxation between two Talmud classes.. Nathanael and his friend continually think and question the texts they just learned.

Yemeni judaism is like a bridge between ancient and modern judaism.

Photo reporting in Yemen

For many yemeni jews, the prophecy has come true. The Eagle has taken the shape of a C-46 or a DC-4 bearing the colors of Alaska Airlines. From june 1949 to september 1950, departing from Aden in the south, 380 flights have carried 50.000 jewish yemenis to the new State of Israel. This discreet operation was baptised “Magic carpet”.
It concerned 49.000 persons, only 1200 jews deciding to remain in Yemen. In 2009, there are only 350 living in the north of the country near the Saudi Arabian border, in the town of Saada and Raida.
Unfortunately, muslim extremists frequently harrass and attack this small community.
In December 2008, 38 year old rabbi Moshe Nahari, was killed by Abdul Aziz Yahya Al-Abdi, a yemenite, formerly an army pilot, who was declared mentally unstable.
A few weeks later, the israeli attack on Gaza, heigtened the tensions between jews and muslims. Conflicts in Irak and Afghanistan will probably complicate the future of this small community.

The jews of Yemen were threatened by the islamists.The State offered protection to the few jews remaining out of the millenary jewish community, by transferring them into a ghetto.The community which was formed in Yemen with its traditions and special way of life, was one of the most insular of the jewish world.Because of its isolation, the jewish community has known relative longevity, and maintained its religious traditions and culture, until the departure to Israel.


The yemeni diaspora is one of the most ancient in the world. According to some narratives, it goes back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries, but it seems more probable that it developed after the arrival of merchants before the destruction of the Temple, in the 70’s after the christian era.

The wall of lamentation is part of one of the most holy sites in the ancient city of Jerusalem.

Photo reporting in Israel

The wall of lamentation is a retaining wall of the Jerusalem temple esplanade dating back to the construction of the Temple of Herod. It is revered by the jews for its proximity to the holiest situated on the temple mount, which is the most sacred place of judaism. This means that the Wailing wall is considered to be the holiest site generally accessible to the jews for prayer.

Jewish men and women come to pray and commune before the wall. Men and women are separated by a partition.

Traditional catholicism is a trend of thought which refuses certain parts of the teaching of the church.

Photo reporting in France

Traditional catholicism is a trend of thought which is opposed to certain parts of the teaching of the church since Vatican II. Traditional catholicism claims its attachment to the “tridentine” rite, also known as the “mass of saint Pie V”.

Before departure, a mass in latin was celebrated saturday morning outside the cathedral of Chartres. Then all along the way, prayers are recited.Saturday morning, between 11.000 and 14.000 traditionalist catholics start a pilgrimage from Chartres to Paris, on the occasion of the Pentecost week-end.Close to 4.000 faithful participate in the “traditional pilgrimage” on the theme “priests for the church”, of the Saint-Pie X Fraternity, leaving Chartres on saturday morning and marching to Paris.Many young scouts and priests, are among the faithful. Pilgrims carry flags of different countries and banners of scout troops.


Traditionalism can be divided into three movements each having its own characteristics:

-The traditional communities Ecclesia Dei attached to the Holy See who accept the Vatican II Council and the Pope’s authority.
-The sacerdotal Fraternity Saint-Pie-X founded by the Lord Bishop Lefebvre, who is opposed to the teaching of Vatican II.
-The “sedevacantist” who not only refuse Vatican II, but also any roman authority, as they have never acknowledged any pope, since Jean XXIII.

According to the organizers, 6.000 pilgrims left Chartres on saturday morning to arrive monday afternoon in Paris in order to celebrate Pentecost.

In Yemen, religion is all powerful, it is an islamic state ruled by the sharia.

Photo reporting in Yemen.

Yemeni islam is composed of two main religious trends: zaydist, descending from shiite, very spread out in the north (approx. 45% of the population) and chafeist, descending from sunnis and spread in the south (approx. 55% of the poulation).
The zaydist shiites and the chafiites sunnis gather about 98% of the total population. The small ismaeli community is composed of some 75.000 members. A small jewish community exists in Yemen.
Sunni is subdivided into law school or madhhab, the main four being maleki, hanafi, chafei and hanbalis, a modern version being wahabis and salafis.

During the funeral of the Imam Ali, the iman of the town of Seyoun is taken to the grand mosque, for the three days of mourning.Before beginning prayers, muslims wash up, it’s a ritual purification of certain parts of the body. Water is a symbol of purification.Dar el Mustapha School. The biggest coranic school in the country where all nationalities are to be met. Radical islam is taught with the sole aim of propagating islam over the world.In the town of Seyoun, preparing for the funeral of the Imam Ali, great master of the Shafiite community. Three days of prayer and songs in all the mosques of the coranic schools.The Great Mosque of the old town is the most ancient mosque in the town of Sanaa and the first mosque built in Yemen.The great mosque bears witness to the islamic architecture of the old town of Sanaa, by its particular traditional yemeni architecture and islamic art..Ancient manuscripts have been discovered in the great mosque. Some fragments have been written in hijazi, the most ancient calligraphy of the coran, with no dots or accents.Men study and pray in the great mosque of Sanaa. In 1984 during the restoration, 12.000 fragments of parchments and manuscripts dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries were found.


Sunni is the major religious trend of islam. It represents 85 to 90% of muslims in the world.

Dar el Mustapha School. All nationalities are represented, a rigorous and radical islam is taught.Day and night, the muslims of the town of Seyoun, during the three days of mourning for Imam Ali (great master of the Shafiite community 767/820).In the great mosque of Sanaa, all day long, men pray and study very ancient texts of the Coran.The great mosque of Sanaa is considered to be one of the most ancient. It represents the spiritual, historic and archeologic symbol of islam in the muslim world.

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