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.

High Court empowers anti-Zionists at Judaism’s holiest site - opinion

While Israeli soldiers fight for their lives, the High Court grants the Reform movement's extremists a foothold at the Western Wall, undermining Israel.

FEBRUARY 22, 2026|ByAMICHAI ELIYAHU

A FAMILY prays at the section of the Kotel designated for non-Orthodox worship.

A general view of Jerusalem's Old City shows the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in the foreground and the Dome of the Rock, located on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, in the background June 24, 2019

It's time for the Western Wall to be a home for every Jew - opinion

The Western Wall belongs to every Jew, and it’s time Israel honors equality, pluralism, and shared heritage.

FEBRUARY 22, 2026|ByYOCHI RAPPEPORT

Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu's political opposition must present clear policies - opinion

Israel’s opposition unites against Netanyahu, but lacks policies to present a clear alternative government.

FEBRUARY 22, 2026|BySUSAN HATTIS ROLEF

A person holds a placard during a demonstration against antisemitism, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Brussels, Belgium December 10, 2023.

Is antisemitism inevitable? A disturbing old-new view of Jew-hatred - opinion

We have to be prepared for the possibility that democracy will fail the Jews.

FEBRUARY 22, 2026|ByCHAIM STEINMETZ

Israel must advance permits for egalitarian Western Wall plaza, High Court orders

The ruling followed a hearing earlier last week, during which justices pressed state and municipal representatives over why worshippers at the egalitarian section still cannot reach the Wall.

FEBRUARY 22, 2026BySARAH BEN-NUN

A Jewish woman covered in a white prayer shawl prays in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, during the Jewish holiday of Passover, April 2, 2018

As Ramadan meets Purim, Jews and Muslims must choose shared humanity over fear - opinion

Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jews in ancient Persia over 2,000 years ago. It is rooted in the broader Middle Eastern landscape, where Jews have part of this region since antiquity.

FEBRUARY 21, 2026ByMENDY CHITRIK

PALESTINIAN MUSLIMS are seen praying at the Temple Mount during the holy month Ramadan, in Jerusalem, on February 17, 2026.

Hinenu at 10 million: 100 lives that tell Israel’s real story

As Israel reaches 10 million citizens amid war, one photographer captures 100 lives that reveal a quieter, more human story.

FEBRUARY 21, 2026BySHANNA FULD

Ortal Pelleg connected to the author through surfing.

Jewish return to Temple Mount brings renewed memory and hope - opinion

Jews are returning to the Temple Mount, reconnecting prayer, memory, and faith in the place their hearts have longed for.

FEBRUARY 21, 2026ByMICHAEL FREUND

At first glance, it reads like an architectural blueprint rather than sacred literature.

Grapevine: Ancient minority

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

FEBRUARY 21, 2026ByGREER FAY CASHMAN

The Hadassah Ein Karem hospital in Jerusalem. January 15, 2017.

Are Irreconcilable differences stopping Israel from healing societal fracture? - opinion

After two female soldiers were chased in Bnei Brak, something sacred was fractured. What happens when Israel no longer feels like one nation?

FEBRUARY 20, 2026ByJONATHAN LIEBERMAN

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

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

FEBRUARY 20, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles

Belgium’s only Jewish MP accused of ‘split loyalty’ after seeking US advice on circumcision ban

“You must make a legal provision to allow Jewish religious mohels to perform their duties here in Belgium. It’s done in all civilized countries as legal procedure,” the US Ambassador to Belgium wrote.

FEBRUARY 19, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Michael Freilich.

U2 releases EP featuring poem by Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai

Israel Prize winner Yehuda Amichai, who died in 2000, is considered by many to have been the greatest modern Israeli poet.

FEBRUARY 19, 2026ByHANNAH BROWN, DAVID BRINN

Irish singer of U2 Bono poses during a photocall for the film "Bono: Stories of Surrender" at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 17, 2025.

Stop pandering to Jewish anti-Zionists, racists, or sexists - opinion

A loud minority shouldn’t define the debate around Israel; respond to anti-Zionist hysteria with clarity, boundaries, empathy, and proud Zionism.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026ByGIL TROY

JEWS ARE seen protesting against Israel and demanding Palestinian statehood recognition, in August 2025.