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.

Stop pandering to Jewish anti-Zionists, racists, or sexists - opinion

A loud minority shouldn’t define the debate around Israel; respond to anti-Zionist hysteria with clarity, boundaries, empathy, and proud Zionism.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026|ByGIL TROY

JEWS ARE seen protesting against Israel and demanding Palestinian statehood recognition, in August 2025.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clash with police following an assault on two female Israeli soldiers in Bnei Brak, central Israel, February 15, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox rioters to remain in custody after chasing female IDF soldiers, clashing with police

The suspects' arrests were extended until Wednesday, and one additional suspect, aged 12, was granted conditional release, the statement added.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Theodor Herzl: ‘It felt as if the great dream of our nation, of 2,000 years.'

Zionism, Catholicism, and the revival of an old hostility - opinion

Old theological opposition to Zionism echoes today as new alliances in politics and religion challenge Israel’s legitimacy.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026|ByYISRAEL MEDAD

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 17, 2025

Israel’s perilous death penalty bill also endangers Diaspora Jews - opinion

Diaspora Jews cannot stay silent as Israel debates executing terrorists, as the bill endangers not only Israel’s moral fabric but also Jewish safety worldwide.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026|ByMICHAEL J. ZOOSMAN

Pax Silica: Israel’s chance to become a must-have ally - opinion

Pax Silica offers Israel a path from protected ally of the US to indispensable partner on the global stage.

FEBRUARY 1, 2026ByAGAM RAFAELI-FARHADIAN

International representatives at the US-Led Pax Silica Summit.

Dnipro chief rabbi: Joy in being Jewish restored post-Soviet Dnipro Jewry

When Kaminetsky arrived in the Closed City in 1990, the years of pogroms, Nazi conquest, and Soviet oppression had reduced almost fifty synagogues to one small house of worship.

FEBRUARY 1, 2026ByMICHAEL STARR

Dnipro, Ukraine in January 2026.

From exile to ecstacy? Israel’s enduring resilience in the face of crisis - opinion

Life for the Jewish people, and virtually anyone who comes within our circle, is unpredictable.

JANUARY 31, 2026BySTEWART WEISS

‘CHILDREN OF Jacob Sell Their Brother Joseph,’ by Konstantin Flavitsky, 1855.

After October 7, this haredi woman refuses to stand apart from Israeli society

Born into the heart of haredi Jerusalem, Sari Kroizer has built a religious and Israeli identity that refuses to stand apart.

JANUARY 31, 2026ByYONATAN VERSTANDIG

Sari Kroizer.

Jerusalem highlights: January 30-February 5

What's new to do in Israel's capital?

JANUARY 30, 2026ByHAGAY HACOHEN

Ginat Rice in Jerusalem.

What honoring our parents teaches us about faith, logic, and Judaism

The mitzvah of honoring one's parents is not a narrow religious demand but a foundational moral duty.

JANUARY 30, 2026ByMOSHE TARAGIN

RED HEIFER

Grapevine, January 30, 2026: Closing a circle

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

JANUARY 30, 2026ByGREER FAY CASHMAN

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar with Indian Ambassador J.P. Singh.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

JANUARY 30, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles

Jewish worshippers hold daytime prayer at Joseph's Tomb for first time in 25 years

The service came following a decision by Defense Minister Israel Katz to expand entry hours to the site beyond nighttime visits.

JANUARY 29, 2026ByPESACH BENSON/TPS

Jewish worshippers pray during morning services at Joseph's Tomb in Nablus, West Bank, January 29, 2026

Stories of ghosts, grief and Shabbat gladness win top prizes in Jewish children’s literature

“Neshama,” Marcella Pixley’s lyrically written novel-in-verse, won the gold medal for Jewish children’s literature for middle-grade readers from the Association of Jewish Libraries.

JANUARY 27, 2026ByPENNY SCHWARTZ/ JTA

“Neshama,” Marcella Pixley’s novel-in-verse, won the gold medal for Jewish children’s literature for middle-grade readers from the Association of Jewish Libraries.