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

More than wigs: The women behind Israel’s sheitels

Women behind the wigs describe engaging in a profession that is part artisan, part therapist, part entrepreneur, and part spiritual caretaker

MARCH 14, 2026ByRIVKAH LAMBERT ADLER

Andrea Simantov.

Shabbat Hachodesh: A time to cleanse and begin again

Shabbat Hachodesh reminds us that national rebirth is not only a matter of borders, armies, and institutions. It is also a matter of values.

MARCH 14, 2026ByMICHAEL FREUND

Ezekiel teaches that a true beginning requires cleansing.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

MARCH 13, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles

Parashat Vayakhel: A ‘kahal’ at war

As Israel faces its greatest challenges, the lessons of Vayakhel remind us of the power of unity in times of crisis.

MARCH 13, 2026ByMOSHE TARAGIN

ISRAELIS TEND to experience their identity more as members of a nation than as members of local congregations. Pictured: Celebrating Israel’s 77th Independence Day in central Jerusalem, May 1, 2025.

Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei: Wisdom of the wise

“Give to the wise, and he will become yet wiser.”

MARCH 13, 2026ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

A pile of books.

Argentina's Milei says 'proud to be the most Zionist president in the world' at Yeshiva University

"Hoppe is bothered that I am a strong supporter of Israel," Milei told the audience.

MARCH 10, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Argentinian President Javier Milei addresses and Audience at Yeshiva University on March 9, 2026.

Iran’s nuclear ambition is not just Israel’s problem - opinion

Iran’s leaders chant “Death to America” while pursuing nuclear power. This is not Israel’s problem alone; it is a threat to the West.

MARCH 8, 2026BySHMUEL LEGESSE

AN IRANIAN FLAG is pictured near in a missile during a military drill, with the participation of Iran’s air defense units in October. (West Asia News Agency/Reuters)

From Khaybar to Khamenei: Historic battles and their echo in modern Iran - opinion

Historic battles and religious memory echo across generations, from the Battle of Khaybar to the death of Khamenei.

MARCH 8, 2026ByEDY COHEN

The Battle of Khaybar.

Israel never stops bringing its soldiers home - opinion

A special forces mission in Lebanon shows the ancient promise still guiding Israel: no Jew is ever left behind.

MARCH 8, 2026ByELI BEER

Missing IAF navigator Ron Arad in captivity after his jet went down in Lebanon in 1986

From DC to Jerusalem: Larry Liss’s journey as a chef and culinary artist

A southern-born chef brings creativity and flavor to Jerusalem through home-cooked meals and culinary adventures.

MARCH 8, 2026ByALAN ROSENBAUM

Larry Liss.