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.

'Joseph Albo': A sweeping map of Jewish belief - review

This influential vision of Judaism places belief and commitment, not philosophy, at the heart of salvation.

JUNE 14, 2026|ByRAFFI CROUSE

Disputation between Christian and Jewish scholars. Woodcut by Johann von Armssheim, 1483.

Haredim block a road and clash with police to protest the jailing of seminary students who fail to comply with IDF recruitment orders, June 1.

Torah study and Israeli military service are both sacred, but not the same - opinion

Public backlash over proposed legislation reflects a broader struggle over how Israel defines service, sacrifice and equality.

JUNE 13, 2026|ByMICHAEL FREUND

Beirut, Martyrs' Square, 1960s: They remember a country once defined by culture, tourism, openness, and coexistence.

Caught between two homelands, a Lebanese Christian finds his place in Israel

From South Lebanon to Israel, a displaced Christian shares a life shaped by war, faith, and divided identity.

JUNE 13, 2026|ByJONATHAN FELDSTEIN

Night view of Prague’s rotating ‘Head of Franz Kafka’ sculpture.

This month in Jewish history: Nobel and Noble

From Joseph’s birth to Entebbe’s rescue, discover the defining Jewish milestones, heroes, tragedies, and triumphs of Tammuz.

JUNE 13, 2026|BySTEVEN DRUCKER

What the ma'apilim teach us about faith and judgment

The story of the spies shows how belief in destiny can falter in fear or slip into reckless overconfidence.

JUNE 6, 2026ByMOSHE TARAGIN

Overconfidence, underconfidence –both negative.

Joshua's spies chose faith over fear - can Israel do the same?

Joshua’s spies returned with faith and confidence, teaching a timeless lesson about courage, purpose, and the Land of Israel.

JUNE 6, 2026ByMICHAEL FREUND

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.

How a Jewish police chief's mezuzah captivated a Mississippi town

A Jewish police chief's mezuzah ceremony became the talk of a Mississippi town and drew a crowd no one expected.

JUNE 6, 2026ByARIEH O’SULLIVAN

The writer and daughter Noa O’Sullivan on roots visit to Mississippi, 2018. Background: Highway welcome sign upon entering to state, ‘the birthplace of America’s music.’

'I am a grateful American': Gary Sinise hopes to bring his mission of service to Israel - interview

From Hollywood to humanitarian work, Gary Sinise shares his journey of service, sacrifice, and resilience.

JUNE 5, 2026ByLANA MELMAN

Gary Sinise receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, surrounded by armed guard, 2017.

Jerusalem highlights: June 5-11

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

JUNE 5, 2026ByHAGAY HACOHEN

‘Sausages,’ Stav Rozental (see Saturday).

Parashat Shlah: The absolute truth

When fear overrides faith, even truth becomes distorted; this is the lesson of the spies in the desert.

JUNE 5, 2026ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

Truth

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat candle lighting times for your area.

JUNE 5, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles

What does the kashrut reform repeal mean, and could it raise food prices? - explainer

The reform was designed to move Israel’s kashrut system away from one controlled almost entirely by the Chief Rabbinate and local rabbinates, and toward a regulated market.

JUNE 3, 2026BySARAH BEN-NUN

KASHRUT CERTIFICATION at a Jerusalem eatery – will the rabbinate’s monopoly be broken?

A different mind, a shared covenant - opinion

I often find myself drawn to the story of Moses, who, when called, responded: "Why me?" Any of Moses’ traits might be understood in the context of autism

JUNE 3, 2026ByDAVID GOLDFARB

THE PARTING of the Red Sea during the Jewish nation’s escape from Egypt, an illustration from a Bible card published 1907 by the Providence Lithograph Company

From Flatbush to Israel: How ignorance fuels the haredi draft crisis - opinion

What a Brooklyn protest reveals about Israel’s internal struggle over equality, service, and a divided society.

MAY 31, 2026ByYAAKOV GRODKA

A group of ultra-Orthodox Jews blocked traffic and the light rail in Jerusalem demonstrating against a Haredi draft into the IDF. February 26, 2024.