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.

The breached walls we must rebuild this Seventeenth of Tamuz - opinion

This fast day is a reminder that destruction begins inside when unity fails and division takes root.

JULY 1, 2026|ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

An ultra-Orthodox jew prays at the Westen Wall July 17, 2002 on Tisha B'Av

In "Birthright," on stage at the MCC Theater in New York, friends reconnect over the years and confront their differences over Israel and Jewishness.

What a new play gets right about ‘Birthright’ and our anguished Jewish conversation - opinion

Jonathan Spector’s “Birthright,” now at MCC Theater, uses the free Israel trip as the starting point for decades of wrestling with Israel, Judaism and friendship.

JUNE 30, 2026|ByTORI GREENE/JTA

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee address a special Israeli-American Council (IAC) America 250 celebration in Israel, hosted by businesswoman and philanthropist Shari Arison.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee compares America-Israel alliance to marriage that cannot afford divorce

“When I hear people say, ‘Is it possible America and Israel will split apart and no longer enjoy this extraordinary partnership?’ I say, ‘No... we are not that stupid," Huckabee said.

JUNE 30, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and die-hard supporter of Israel, believes firmly that the US needs Israel as much as Israel needs the US.

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Huckabee: 'If there were not an Israel, there wouldn’t be a United States'

From biblical conviction to diplomatic mission, Ambassador Mike Huckabee brings a uniquely personal vision of the US-Israel relationship

JUNE 30, 2026|ByRUTH MARKS EGLASH

Huvy Elisha and the enduring power of Biblical Art in Jerusalem

JUNE 28, 2026ByIN COOPERATION WITH HUVY’S GALLERY

The mikveh belongs to the women of Israel, not to those who yell at them - opinion

Publicly funded mikvaot exist to serve the people of Israel. Every woman who enters should be treated with respect.

JUNE 28, 2026BySETH FARBER

A new mikveh ritual bath in the Jewish settlement of Bat Ayin in Gush Etzion, West Bank, November 6, 2019.

What Nishmat’s Ma’ayan program for Ethiopian women says about Israel’s future

As a board member of American Friends of Nishmat, and as someone whose family has proudly supported the institution for many years, I was privileged to witness the event.

JUNE 28, 2026BySTEPHEN M. FLATOW

MA’AYAN GRADUATES with Nishmat dean Ilana Hadad (L) and program director Dr. Esti Bar-El (R).

Meeting our ancient cousins: What the Samaritans can teach about Jewish continuity - opinion

The existence of the Samaritans reminds us that possessing a text is not enough. The greater wonder is the survival of a people and a living tradition.

JUNE 27, 2026ByJONATHAN LIEBERMAN

Samaritans are seen celebrating Shavuot.

Jewish day school enrollment rising across denominations

One report found that non-Orthodox school enrollment has increased by 3% from 2021 to 2024, while Orthodox schools have seen a 7% increase.

JUNE 27, 2026ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

Boys in the hallway at Jewish day school

Parashat Balak: Guarding our eyes

Jewish tradition values personal modesty and meaningful inner growth that is not displayed for public attention. Such conduct is fitting for a people who serve God.

JUNE 26, 2026ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

ONE SHOULD NOT intrude into the life of his neighbor.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat candle lighting times for your area.

JUNE 26, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Europe condemns settlements, but ignores Zionism’s deeper roots - opinion

Zionism is the belief that the Jewish people’s religion and culture, its national soul, cannot be complete without a national territory and is some 4,000 years old.

JUNE 23, 2026ByYISRAEL MEDAD

A general view of houses in the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim in the West Bank

Resurrecting Herodium: A royal desert fortress awakens After 2,000 years

JUNE 23, 2026ByIN COOPERATION WITH DERECH ERETZ

"Herodium became a living testament to the enduring roots of Jewish history."

'Engaging the Essence': The Lubavitcher Rebbe as philosopher - review

While the Rebbe did not write a system, he spoke to occasions for 40 years. Bronstein anchors the structure of the Rebbe’s talks in his first discourse of 1951.

JUNE 22, 2026ByNOAH ROTHSTEIN