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.

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 was granted conditional release, the statement added.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

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

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

‘I want to suggest an unwritten 11th commandment: To live in the Land of Israel.’

The 11th commandment: Choose it or lose it - opinion

Embracing life in Israel is a spiritual mitzvah that connects Jews to God, their history, and religion.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026|BySTEWART WEISS

Canvas for a cause: Art, music, and tzedakah in Jerusalem

Canvas for a Cause, an art auction benefiting the synagogue’s charitable fund, Keren Tzedakah, drew community members, art lovers, and supporters of social justice.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026ByPENINA HOROWITZ

Art auction at Kehilat Kol HaNeshama.

'The Morning the Apples Began to Sing': A story of wonder and imagination - review

A story of wonder and self-expression, inspiring children to imagine, create, and embrace life’s hidden miracles.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026ByMARION FISCHEL

Thee are no illustrations, except for an unexpected one on the last page.

Israeli community builds world's only mechanical-divide swimming pool

“I love the new Efrat pool, and I am extremely grateful every day. I feel like I should make a blessing every time I go swimming.”

FEBRUARY 15, 2026ByRIVKAH LAMBERT ADLER

Open pool horizontal.

The $15 million lie - opinion

Robert Kraft's $15M Super Bowl ad depicts Jews as powerless; real survival demands strength, confidence, and self-defense, not sympathy.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026ByADAM SCOTT BELLOS

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft before the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High, January 25, 2026

When prayer is weaponized: Preserving faith’s sincerity in a politicized world - opinion

True prayer lights the heart and softens the soul; it cannot be weaponized without losing meaning.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026ByJONATHAN LIEBERMAN

An illustrative photograph of a man wearing tefillin

NRB convention to spotlight Israel, Iran, antisemitism, and AI

Faith-based media leaders prepare to tackle geopolitical tensions, technology ethics, and the future of religious broadcasting

FEBRUARY 14, 2026ByFELICE FRIEDSON/THE MEDIA LINE

Troy Miller at National Religious Broadcasters (NRB)

Love at 88, 96: Rosh Hashanah romance that began at shul

A Rosh Hashanah moment in shul sparked a late-life romance in Jerusalem’s French Hill.

FEBRUARY 14, 2026ByLEAH HAKIMIAN

Rabbi Hayyim Halpern and Margie Tutnauer

From Der Judenstaat to modern Israel: Herzl’s vision in today’s world - opinion

Over 100 years after Herzl’s Der Judenstaat, Israel faces global antisemitism, internal divisions, and the ongoing fight for its survival.

FEBRUARY 14, 2026ByBRENDA KATTEN

Supporting a ‘Free Palestine’ as part of a ‘Stop Bombing Iran’ protest following the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites, near the US Embassy in London, June 23, 2025.

Temple Mount’s delicate balance tested as Jewish prayer, Ramadan crowds meet

For decades after 1967, the Temple Mount was defined by a simple rule: Jews could visit but not pray. Small but meaningful changes are quietly shifting that balance.

FEBRUARY 13, 2026ByNATAN ROTHSTEIN

Temple Mount

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

FEBRUARY 13, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles