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

Israel's haredi divide has become a test of national unity - opinion

Israel's haredi crisis is about more than military service; it's a test of shared responsibility and national cohesion.

JUNE 17, 2026ByMICHAEL J. SALAMON, LOUIS LIBIN

HAREDI DEMONSTRATORS protest in Jerusalem on July 23, 2025.

David Hofstedter and his family foundation: From Toronto real estate to global Jewish learning

A builder in business and Jewish life.

JUNE 17, 2026ByIN COOPERATION WITH ESTRATEGY

Dovid “David” Hofstedter with Mark Walker at the U.S. State Department in Washington, during the presentation of a report on antisemitism and religious freedom.

What Sydney Sweeney’s media strategy can teach Israel’s defenders - opinion

As anti-Zionist narratives spread globally, Israel's defenders must focus more on winning public trust.

JUNE 16, 2026ByYISRAEL MEDAD

US actress Sydney Sweeney attends HBO's "Euphoria" season 3 premiere at the TCL Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California, April 7, 2026

The guard outside the synagogue - opinion

Our guard stands in the cold, gives up holidays with his family, and carries a responsibility he never chose. When tragedy comes, men like him are often the first line of defense.

JUNE 14, 2026ByMENDY CHITRIK

Rare medieval Sefardi Torah scroll from the late 13th or early 14th century on display at ANU, Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv.

'Joseph Albo': A sweeping map of Jewish belief - review

This influential vision of Judaism places belief and commitment, not philosophy, at the heart of salvation.

JUNE 14, 2026ByRAFFI CROUSE

Disputation between Christian and Jewish scholars. Woodcut by Johann von Armssheim, 1483.

Torah study and Israeli military service are both sacred, but not the same - opinion

Public backlash over proposed legislation reflects a broader struggle over how Israel defines service, sacrifice and equality.

JUNE 13, 2026ByMICHAEL FREUND

Haredim block a road and clash with police to protest the jailing of seminary students who fail to comply with IDF recruitment orders, June 1.

Caught between two homelands, a Lebanese Christian finds his place in Israel

From South Lebanon to Israel, a displaced Christian shares a life shaped by war, faith, and divided identity.

JUNE 13, 2026ByJONATHAN FELDSTEIN

Beirut, Martyrs' Square, 1960s: They remember a country once defined by culture, tourism, openness, and coexistence.

This month in Jewish history: Nobel and Noble

From Joseph’s birth to Entebbe’s rescue, discover the defining Jewish milestones, heroes, tragedies, and triumphs of Tammuz.

JUNE 13, 2026BySTEVEN DRUCKER

Night view of Prague’s rotating ‘Head of Franz Kafka’ sculpture.

Parashat Korah: Misreading intentions

Korah's rebellion shows how mistrust and competing narratives destroy dialogue, as reflected today in Israel’s haredi draft divide.

JUNE 12, 2026ByMOSHE TARAGIN

Meira Sohlberg, wife of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg, reacts to the attack by haredi protesters on their Alon Shvut home, June 3.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat candle lighting times for your area.

JUNE 12, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles