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.

Between miracle and memory: The evolution of Miriam in art over the years

Whether in medieval ‘Haggadot’ or the lithographs of Bezalel, artists trace Miriam as she emerges, tambourine in hand, to lead the aftermath of the Exodus.

APRIL 8, 2026|ByNERIA BARR

BYZANTINE MOSAIC, Abbey of the Dormition, Jerusalem (c. early medieval) – Miriam, tambourine in hand.

‘SEPARATIONS/DOME,’ Batsheva Ensemble. ‘The work began from a feeling, an everyday sensation of vulnerability.’ – Bosmat Nossan

The body continues: In war, dance becomes a way to survive

In their new works for the Batsheva Ensemble, choreographers Bosmat Nossan and Roni Chadash echo the rhythm of Miriam as a practice of necessity.

APRIL 8, 2026|ByORI J. LENKINSKI

Engraving: The Song of Miriam (1880), by William Blake Richmond.

Before the song: On Passover, Miriam leads with rhythm when the path is unclear

Miriam leads not through words or commands but through rhythm, movement, and shared presence. Her tambourine becomes a structure that others can enter.

APRIL 7, 2026|ByNERIA BARR

IT IS no accident that Song of Songs is read every Passover. The book is saturated with an explosive, summoning, and impossible to resist spring – an explosion of energy and new life

Passover and Song of Songs: What spring teaches us about freedom

HIKING THE HOLYLAND: Israel's hiking trails are quieter than they used to be. And yet – spring does not wait.

APRIL 7, 2026|BySUSANNAH SCHILD

Purim 2026: The hidden miracle of Jewish survival across generations - opinion

Purim reminds us that Jewish continuity is a miracle, sustained by belief, identity, and unwavering strength.

MARCH 3, 2026ByMENACHEM SPIEGEL

19th-century Megillat Esther linked to Gaza's Jewish community up for auction in Jerusalem.

Purim 2026: It’s not over until it’s good - opinion

Living in Israel during these past years of war has made the message of Purim painfully real.

MARCH 3, 2026ByYAEL ECKSTEIN

Israelis celebrate Purim on the streets of Jerusalem amid war with Iran, March 3, 2026

The Book of Esther: How letters preserved Jewish identity across empires and exile - opinion

How the Book of Esther uses letters to safeguard Jewish identity and language during exile and empire.

MARCH 3, 2026ByMOSHE TARAGIN

Reading ‘Megillat Esther’ in Safed: Hebrew returned because the people it spoke for had returned.

Purim 2026: Celebrating with faith, fun, and resilience through the years

From childhood groggers to Israel today, Purim reminds us of courage, joy, and the enduring fight against life’s Hamans.

MARCH 3, 2026ByDAVID GEFFEN

Purim.

Purim 2026: Ancient Persia offers lessons of prayer, unity, and courage

From ancient Persia to today, Purim shows how prayer, unity, and courage shape Jewish history and identity.

MARCH 3, 2026BySTEWART WEISS

Let us see what is behind the masquerade.

The Tomb of Mordechai and Esther: Iran's Jewish, Purim heritage

According to the tradition of the Jews of Persia, after Haman’s downfall, hostility toward the Jews intensified, and Mordechai and Esther left Shushan and wandered north, to the city of Hamadan.

MARCH 2, 2026ByJACOB MAOR

THE MAUSOLEUM containing the tombs of Esther and Mordechai, Hamadan, Iran.

Megillah in the Miklat: Tel Aviv moves Purim underground as Operation Roaring Lion rages

Despite Operation Roaring Lion, Israelis continue to celebrate Purim in shelters and homes, with community efforts to ensure the mitzvot are fulfilled, including sending gift packages to the needy.

MARCH 1, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Israelis take cover in Tel Aviv as a siren sounds warning of incoming ballistic missiles fired from Iran toward Israel, March 1, 2026; illustrative.

'The Gavriel Tirosh Affair': Unforgettable teacher, lingering memory - review

Yitzhak Shalev’s novel traces the lingering power of a teacher who vanished but never left his students’ minds.

MARCH 1, 2026ByRACHEL PARNESS

The Irgun Museum in Tel Aviv.

Why I'm proud to be a Zionist living in the State of Israel - opinion

From desert blooms to Jerusalem’s ancient streets, Zionism still matters in creating a Jewish homeland.

MARCH 1, 2026ByURI PILICHOWSKI

A silhouette of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, is displayed near a flag of the state of Israel on a building in Jerusalem.

'A hug from God': Diana Klein on music, healing, and women’s empowerment - interview

Diana Klein’s music offers comfort, hope, and strength for women seeking self-appreciation.

MARCH 1, 2026ByBASIA MONKA

Diana Klein singing.