Judaism

Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion in the world, having originated in the Middle East more than 3,000 years ago with patriarch Abraham.

As the first Abrahamic religion, Judaism has played a major role in shaping the history of the world, having greatly influenced the development of Christianity and Islam, despite having always had a relatively small amount of adherents by comparison.

The religion itself is built off of the "written Torah" of the Bible, known in Judaism as the Tanach, and the "oral Torah" of the Mishna, Talmud and other great works of leading rabbis throughout history.

Judaism itself has no single leading figure, and is divided into multiple streams, such as the ultra-Orthodox (haredi), Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. Further differences also exist along the lines of historic Diasporic communities, such as Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jewry.

Today, the largest concentration of adherents of Judaism can be found in Israel, with the US having the second-largest.

Who owns Judaism? Israel must take it back from the religious establishment - opinion

Israelis have not abandoned Judaism. They are abandoning those who claim ownership over it.

AUGUST 29, 2026|ByBATYA KAHANA-DROR

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters demonstrate against a cafe operating on Shabbat, while secular protesters hold a counter-demonstration, in central Jerusalem, August 29, 2026

A man blows the shofar in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, ahead of the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, September 17, 2025

Elul teaches us a Jewish lesson: The last siren has not sounded - opinion

For us, though, the final siren is not until the shofar is blown on Yom Kippur. We still have time to score more points.

AUGUST 29, 2026|ByJONATHAN LIEBERMAN

HONEST ACCOUNTING cannot be selective

Parashat Ki Tavo: The finest generation

Elul's call to confession requires more than admitting failure. Authentic teshuva also means recognizing personal growth and the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of this generation.

AUGUST 28, 2026|ByMOSHE TARAGIN

REJOICING UPON the release of Hamas hostage Bar Kupershtein, Nov. 2, 2025.

Parashat Ki Tavo: The power of joy

Parashat Ki Tavo teaches that joy is not a luxury but a religious obligation, revealed through gratitude, generosity and serving God with a sincere and joyful heart.

AUGUST 28, 2026|ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

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AUGUST 28, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

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Jonathan Spector’s ‘Birthright’ puts Jewish history and memory on the stage - opinion

In its first act, set in 2006, we join six friends just back from a Birthright Israel trip. Lev, the seeker of “meaning,” introduces “historiography.”

AUGUST 26, 2026ByPAMELA S. NADELL/JTA

Hale Appleman, shown with Molly Bernard, plays Lev in the MCC Theater's 2026 production of "Birthright."

Beyond the Headlines: Yehuda Katz, whose remains returned from Lebanon after 44 years, and us

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

AUGUST 24, 2026BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR

Yehuda Katz.

AI will not change the Jews – or will it? - opinion

AI may not change what it means to be Jewish. But it could profoundly change the institutions through which Jewish life has been transmitted from one generation to another.

AUGUST 23, 2026BySHARON PARDO

How have Jews and Israelis contributed to the field of artificial intelligence? (Illustrative)

The kippah in his pocket: Don’t hide your Judaism, you never know who needs to see it - opinion

Recently, my son spent three weeks on an intensive residential course in Australia – long days outdoors, very little sleep, and a great deal of mud. The organizers made sure he had kosher food.

AUGUST 22, 2026ByJONATHAN LIEBERMAN

A MAN wearing a kippa waits for the start of a demonstration against antisemitism at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate in 2014

Being religious is better for your mental health, Israeli rabbi scientist-led study reveals

Study shows strong sense of purpose, healthier digital habits lower risks for addiction, depression.

AUGUST 22, 2026ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH

VISITORS PARTICIPATE in the capital’s Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem march last month. The encouraging implication of the study is that these are factors anyone can strengthen, regardless of whether they are religious, according to the researcher.

Haftarat Ki Tetze: When others destroy, Jews rebuild and make things greater

Jerusalem has endured exile and loss, but Isaiah tells her not to look only at what has been destroyed. She must look ahead to what will be rebuilt.

AUGUST 21, 2026ByMICHAEL FREUND

Jewish worshippers and visitors gather at the Western Wall in Jerusalem a day before the eve of Tisha B’Av, July 21, 2026.

AI is reshaping humanity, and Israel has a divine opportunity to light the way - opinion

The statistics present a warning as to where humanity is heading, as well as an opportunity for Israel to play the role of a “light among nations” as predicted in the Bible.

AUGUST 21, 2026ByJEFFREY KAHN

A painting by the author.

Parashat Ki Tetze: Set adrift on the island of Elul

Parashat Ki Tetze abruptly shifts from collective responsibilities to personal ones. It is the densest legal section of the Torah, containing more commandments than any other parasha.

AUGUST 21, 2026ByMOSHE TARAGIN

‘NO MAN is an island, entire of itself...’

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

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AUGUST 21, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

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