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.

OneTable reimagines Shabbat dinner program amid layoffs and funding downturn

Abramson said the company was also shifting away from its recent focus on older Jewish adults to center its programming on younger Jews.

JANUARY 23, 2026|ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

People gather at a OneTable Shabbat dinner.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks at a solidarity rally for Israel in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, October 9, 2023.

From Alfred Dreyfus to Josh Shapiro: How the ‘dual loyalty’ charge shadows Jewish public life

Those ties, Jewish leaders argue, are well within the American-Jewish mainstream, and far from evidence of disloyalty.

JANUARY 23, 2026|ByANDREW SILOW-CARROLL/JTA

View of the Temple Mount (Al Aqsa mosque) in Jerusalem's Old City, November 19, 2025.

Israel Police loosen Temple Mount prayer restrictions for Jewish visitors

Under the new policy, Jewish visitors may enter the site with a single prayer page, provided it is prepared in advance and distributed at the entrance by the Temple Mount Yeshiva.

JANUARY 21, 2026|ByPESACH BENSON/TPS

AI-generated hasidic figure known as Rabbi Menachem Goldberg on TikTok

AI-generated 'rabbi' draws thousands of followers online, raising transparency concerns

An AI-generated Hasidic ‘rabbi’ gained thousands of followers online before being exposed, sparking debate in Israel over trust, ethics, and transparency in religious digital content.

JANUARY 21, 2026|ByMAARIV ONLINE, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

JANUARY 9, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles

Parashat Shemot: The continuity of the world

The victory of the midwives over Pharaoh was the beginning of Israel’s triumph over Egypt.

JANUARY 9, 2026ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

The numerical rise of the Israelites aroused fear in Pharaoh. Illustrative.

Hungarian textbooks portray Jews positively, contain unbiased coverage of Holocaust - IMPACT-se

IMPACT-se released new research that found that Hungarian school textbooks include informative depictions of Judaism and empathetic, deep coverage of the Holocaust.

JANUARY 8, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Rabbi Tamas Vero plays the Jewish shofar during the annual "March of the Living" to commemorate victims of the Holocaust, in Budapest, Hungary, May 5, 2024

Beyond the Headlines: A medical milestone, a shared vision - opinion

A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

JANUARY 6, 2026BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR

A Medical Milestone and a Shared Vision

Rabbis after Google: Jewish leadership must be reimagined - opinion

Judaism has always evolved. In a world of instant access and fading institutions, rabbinic leadership must evolve with it.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByADAM GINDEA

Chief rabbis of Jerusalem, Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Rabbi Arye Stern

Parashat Vayechi: Keeping Israel Jewish – without coercion

We should value democracy, safeguard it within Israeli society, and participate actively wherever we reside, cherishing the liberties and dignity it secures.

JANUARY 5, 2026ByMOSHE TARAGIN

EXPRESSING SUPPORT for separation of church and state.

Maduro has claimed Jewish ancestry, here is what is known - explainer

Maduro has cited Sephardic Jewish roots, but his own statements and the public record leave his Jewish status unconfirmed.

JANUARY 4, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

A supporter of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds up a portrait of him in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026.

Jacob’s warning: Enthusiasm without restraint threatens a nation - opinion

Parashat Vayechi shows Jacob warning against unchecked enthusiasm, teaching that passion must be guided by judgment and responsibility.

JANUARY 4, 2026ByZEHAVIT GROSS

Torah scroll 521

Winning the war, losing the world: Israel’s battle is Diaspora's vulnerability - opinion

Israel has crushed Hamas militarily, but the war leaves Jews abroad more exposed to antisemitism, and Israel’s global standing has been crushed.

JANUARY 3, 2026ByJEREMY LEVIN

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes a government meeting on the Gaza deal, with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in attendance, in Jerusalem, October 9, 2025

Somaliland exists: recognition is about truth, not favor - opinion

Nadifa Mohamed’s novel and Israel’s recognition of Somaliland show why acknowledging marginalized lives is a matter of justice.

JANUARY 3, 2026ByNANCY HARTEVELT KOBRIN

A woman dressed in Somaliland's flag colours parades to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of their Independence in Hargeisa, Somaliland, May 18, 2024.