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.

WATCH: Thousands gather at Western Wall for selichot prayers as 'Post' observes Yom Kippur

The Jerusalem Post will temporarily pause news coverage to observe Yom Kippur. We wish all our readers a gmar hatima tova and an easy and meaningful fast.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Thousands of Jews gather for selichot prayer services at the Western Wall, in Jerusalem, ahead of Yom Kippur, September 15, 2026

Three women who arrived in the morning to sit the Rabbinate exams finally do so at a four-hour delay, April 27, 2026

ITIM demands equal conditions for women in upcoming Chief Rabbinate exams

After women faced severe delays during historic first exams, ITIM threatens legal action against the Chief Rabbinate to ensure equal venues and testing conditions for upcoming certification tests.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2026|BySARAH BEN-NUN

The empty streets in Tel Aviv, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, and the holiest of Jewish holidays. Israel came to a standstill for 25-hours during the high holiday of Yom Kippur when observant Jews fast and Israelis are prohibited from driving, October 2, 2025.

In the shadow of October 7: How Yom Kippur has changed for some secular Israelis

The October 7 attack has affected all Israelis somehow. Some have questioned God’s existence. Others have gotten closer to religion, and sought connection to spirituality.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2026|ByLINDA GRADSTEIN

An illustrative image of a Torah scroll and a shofar for Yom Kippur.

The Jewish sin we never confess: Choosing indifference over love - opinion

Judaism does not demand agreement or unity. It demands that we never erase another Jew from the circle of our obligations.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2026|BySHIVI GREENFIELD

Before the High Holidays, the Jewish people must look inward - opinion

With Yom Kippur fast approaching, now is the time for Jews to look inward and ask how one can do better to support one's own nation and peoplehood.

AUGUST 8, 2026ByWILLIAM C. DAROFF

‘MESIRUT NEFESH’: Willingness to give up comfort, time, money, and personal interests for a greater value.

How a Connecticut Torah scroll traveled 50 years, and thousands of miles, to make aliyah - opinion

A closing Connecticut synagogue, a chance Facebook connection, and a retired rabbi helped a Torah scroll dedicated to a young boy complete its journey to Jerusalem.

AUGUST 8, 2026ByBARBARA SOFER

The sefer torah.

Parashat Re'eh: The tyranny of ‘one’ truth

An age of prophecy should have been an age of clarity. If God spoke directly to humanity, the path forward ought to have been unmistakable.

AUGUST 7, 2026ByMOSHE TARAGIN

It takes courage to reject someone who has demonstrated extraordinary gifts.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat candle lighting times for your area.

AUGUST 7, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles

Parashat Re'eh: The choice to choose

Even those who observe Jewish tradition have areas of choice that they have already conquered, while their struggles lie elsewhere, each person according to their own level and circumstances.

AUGUST 7, 2026ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

A person is obligated to identify where their own 'point of choice' lies.

Reburying Herzl’s grandparents reflects Zionism at its most redemptive - opinion

Shimon Leib and Rivka Herzl have rested in peace in Belgrade since 1879 and 1888, respectively. Their homecoming is a profound act of Zionist faith and synthesis, mocking the anti-Zionist mania.

AUGUST 5, 2026ByGIL TROY

THEODOR HERZL.

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

AUGUST 3, 2026BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR

Rabbi Mark Wildes with the scribe at the Nova site.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat candle lighting times for your area.

JULY 31, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles

Did the Jewish Agency rewrite Zionism’s founding principles? - opinion

The Jewish Agency’s claim that “pluralistic Judaism” was a founding pillar of Zionism fails every test – historical, religious, and institutional.

JULY 28, 2026ByPESACH LERNER

Head of WZO Yaakov Hagoel.

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What I taught my daughter on Tisha B’Av – and why I resigned from the government.

JULY 27, 2026BySHARREN HASKEL

Sharren Haskel speaks to the media as she announces her resignation as deputy foreign minister, at the Knesset, on July 14, 2026.