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.

Finding God in the foxhole? Netanyahu reveals spiritual side in midst of Iran war - analysis

Some critics say Netanyahu's religiousness is tactical. However, if Netanyahu wanted to use faith for political gain, he has had many opportunities to do so, but he never did.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement at the Weizmann Institute of Science, which was hit by an Iranian missile barrage, in the central city of Rehovot, Israel, June 20, 2025
 ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM of Chalkida.

Chalkida: The little Greek town that could – save its Jews

 A graphic in Farsi about Operation Rising Lion.

The awakening of Am Yisrael: No more grasshoppers, but lions - opinion

 HEBREW BIBLE in a silver case in the collection of the Jewish Museum of Switzerland, printed in Israel in 1962.

'From Eden to Exodus': Learning the meaning of Hebrew words - review


David’s dilemma: Having a healthier relationship with God - opinion

May the godliness within each of us protect the many thousands of Davids and Devorahs out there fighting for our lives and our future.

 A SOLDIER prays at the Western Wall. In times of darkness, uncertainty can shroud our faith, and our prayers may feel like whispers in the void, says the writer.

A matter of faith: Israel will rid the world of Iran's evil, even if it must do it alone - opinion

Once again, this week we are left with no alternatives but to summon faith and confront this daunting challenge with courage, and unshakable resolve.

 An illustrative image of ballistic missiles over the Iranian and Israeli flags.

Nadav Schwartz: Fighting for LGBTQ+ acceptance among religious Jews

Jerusalemite of the week: A religious Jew who has been out as a gay man for 15 years now, Nadav Schwartz is a passionate activist who fights for the reconciliation of religious and queer identities. 

 Nadav Schwartz

Anger, hope, déjà vu and cold chicken soup: How Jerusalemites reacted to war with Iran

RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS: Four Jerusalem residents share Shabbat experiences on the fateful weekend when Israel’s began its strikes on Iran.

 THE ‘POST’ gathered testimonies from Jerusalemites and documented their experiences of last weekend’s attack on Iran. Here, people gather to enter a bomb shelter last Friday in Jerusalem.

Parashat Shelach: Seeing giants, choosing hope

The 10 spies teach us what happens when fear rules the heart. The ma’apilim teach us of the danger of forcing reality to revive an old fantasy.

 An illustrative image of a grasshopper.

Parashat Shelach: Believe in yourselves

The Torah recounts the argument that erupted between the 10 pessimistic spies and Joshua and Caleb, the two optimistic ones.

 The Grapes of Canaan by James Tissot (circa 1900). Although the 12 spies brought back a cluster of grapes so large that it took two men to carry it, only two of the 12 brought back a good report of the land.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

Shabbat candles

Parashat Beha’alotcha: The call of humility

We are all entitled to even the strongest of our beliefs and opinions. And yet, we should never be so sure of what we think that we are not open to a different voice, a different opinion.

 OUR FINITENESS can never completely comprehend the infinite

Parashat Beha’alotcha: Yes to speaking up, no to hurting!

Speak up! Share your opinion! Try to bring about change – but not through gossip and not with hurtful words.

 An illustrative image depicting gossip.

'The Triumph of Life': Reimagining the relationship between God and humanity - review

Greenberg’s recently published magnum opus, The Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism, is arguably the most compelling and thought-provoking book to grace the Jewish bookshelf this year. 

 JEWS IN BUDAPEST being rounded up by police in 1944. The Holocaust was a ‘devastating example of the abuse of human power.’

Israel's eternal struggle: Understanding the 'why' behind the fight for survival - opinion

We can look back at history, and we can look up to the heavens, but at the end of the day we must also look squarely at ourselves.

 Taking cover from a Houthi missile during a siren in Jerusalem, on June 5, 2025.