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 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

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

Art auction at Kehilat Kol HaNeshama.

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, 2026|ByPENINA HOROWITZ

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

'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, 2026|ByMARION FISCHEL

Open pool horizontal.

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, 2026|ByRIVKAH LAMBERT ADLER

Argentinian oleh celebrates his Bar Mitzvah, conversion to Judaism 20 years after making aliyah

Ariel Weintraub, an Argentinian-Israeli who has been living in the country for the past 20 years, decided to fully convert to Judaism after connecting with his Jewish coworkers.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

An Argentine oleh (new immigrant to Israel) who made aliyah 20 years ago celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in Eilat after a long period of conversion.

Alt-New Jew: Israeli grit and Diaspora wisdom combined - opinion

Jews must combine the ways of life of both the Diaspora and the Israelis to ensure a safe, strong, and vibrant future.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByZACK BODNER

American and Israeli Jews [Illustrative]

Women as halachic leaders, then and now - opinion

In our generation, we are privileged to encounter women whose learning, commitment, and spiritual leadership who serve the Jewish people by answering halachic questions and issuing rulings.

FEBRUARY 1, 2026ByKENNETH BRANDER

WOMEN ARE seen studying Torah and Halacha at Midreshet Lindenbaum. Women must be given the opportunity to take the Chief Rabbinate’s exams, the writer says.

Light unto the nations: Rivkah Lambert Adler and teaching Torah outward

The concept of illuminating the nations of the world was always envisioned as one of prophetic destiny rather than real obligation. Author Rivkah Lambert Adler confronts this very notion.

FEBRUARY 1, 2026ByYONATAN VERSTANDIG

A SEPHARDI Torah scroll is rolled to reveal the first paragra ph of the ‘Shema’ prayer.

Building bridges through music: Hanna Yaffe’s life of faith and dialogue

Singer and storyteller Hanna Yaffe blends Orthodox faith, music, and interfaith dialogue to build bridges across cultures and beliefs.

FEBRUARY 1, 2026ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN

Hanna Yaffe sings and plays guitar.

Israel is awaiting potential Iranian attacks as uncertainty rises - opinion

Citizens of Israel are adapting their daily routines while preparing for the possibility of Iranian missile attacks.

FEBRUARY 1, 2026ByDEBORAH DANINO HARKHAM

Donald Trump over a backdrop of an Iranian flag. (Illustrative)

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.