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.

Jan. 6 protester Jake Lang renounced his Judaism to court the far right. It isn’t working

Far-right, antisemitic media personalities such as Dan Bilzerian and Nick Fuentes slammed Lang for being a "Jewish operative" and a Jew "larping as a white Christian."

MARCH 19, 2026|ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

Far-right influencer Jake Lang speaks in front of Gracie Mansion regarding the attempted bombing at a protest organized by the influencer on Saturday, on March 9, 2026 in New York City. Two suspects were arrested on March 7 for allegedly throwing bombs that did not explode during a protest outside G

Gunmen stand guard at the funeral of Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas deputy military commander who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, February 7, 2025.

The next war after Iran: The battle for the soul of Islam - opinion

The Muslim leaders who oppose radical Islamists, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and the Iranian Ayatollahs, must be supported and protected.

MARCH 16, 2026|ByMOSHE DANN

PROTESTERS FORM up behind a banner during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London, on March 15, 2026.

Understanding the psychology driving modern antisemitism - opinion

Facts often fail against antisemitism because beliefs are shaped by emotion and identity long before evidence enters the debate.

MARCH 16, 2026|ByMICHELLE BLUMENFELD

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the entrance of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 7, 2025.

From Parshat Zachor to war with Iran: Israel will never be defenseless - opinion

From a synagogue reading to the skies over Iran, the US-Israel alliance shows its enduring strength.

MARCH 15, 2026|ByJOSHUA Z. LAVINE

Israel never stops bringing its soldiers home - opinion

A special forces mission in Lebanon shows the ancient promise still guiding Israel: no Jew is ever left behind.

MARCH 8, 2026ByELI BEER

Missing IAF navigator Ron Arad in captivity after his jet went down in Lebanon in 1986

From DC to Jerusalem: Larry Liss’s journey as a chef and culinary artist

A southern-born chef brings creativity and flavor to Jerusalem through home-cooked meals and culinary adventures.

MARCH 8, 2026ByALAN ROSENBAUM

Larry Liss.

Why Israel doesn’t need the world’s permission to fight Iran - opinion

The so-called “rules-based international order” has ignored the fact that an international armed conflict has long existed between Iran, the US, and Israel.

MARCH 7, 2026ByDAVID M. WEINBERG

Motorists drive along an expressway as plumes of smoke rise after a strike in Tehran on March 5, 2026.

How Mikhael Mirilashvili sees Netanyahu, Trump, and Israel’s national priorities - interview

From legal battles to Channel 14, Mirilashvili shares his perspective on politics and public life.

MARCH 7, 2026ByZVIKA KLEIN

Working in his Petah Tikva office, 2024: Watergen’s water-from-air technology is a priority.

From Shushan to Tehran: Purim’s story repeats itself - opinion

Again and again, the pattern returns: a decree of destruction, a sudden fall, a people still standing.

MARCH 7, 2026ByJONATHAN LIEBERMAN

People celebrate Purim in Mea Shearim, Jerusalem.

In the kitchen with Henny: Easy Purim, Passover dinners using what’s already in your kitchen

From Purim treats to Passover prep, turn leftovers and pantry staples into nourishing, stress-free dinners.

MARCH 7, 2026ByHENNY SHOR

Henny Shor

Echoes of Egypt: Haggadah that brings ancient Egypt to your seder

Experience a Haggadah that brings 3,000 years of Egyptian imagery to life.

MARCH 7, 2026ByMICHAEL BERNSTEIN

Close-up of the Merenptah Stele, mentioning Israel on line 27.

Parashat Ki Tisa: Fear and the choice of courage

From the golden calf to today, fear tests us, but faith and courage show the way forward.

MARCH 6, 2026ByMOSHE TARAGIN

Taking cover in Tel Aviv, March 1.

Parashat Ki Tisa: Sin of the golden calf and the test of patience

Impatience at Sinai led to the golden calf, teaching that true faith and redemption demand patience, not glittering shortcuts.

MARCH 6, 2026ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

Impatience has led to many people losing their own private Garden of Eden.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

MARCH 6, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles