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.

Grapevine, January 30, 2026: Closing a circle

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

JANUARY 30, 2026|ByGREER FAY CASHMAN

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar with Indian Ambassador J.P. Singh.

Shabbat candles

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

JANUARY 30, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Jewish worshippers pray during morning services at Joseph's Tomb in Nablus, West Bank, January 29, 2026

Jewish worshippers hold daytime prayer at Joseph's Tomb for first time in 25 years

The service came following a decision by Defense Minister Israel Katz to expand entry hours to the site beyond nighttime visits.

JANUARY 29, 2026|ByPESACH BENSON/TPS

“Neshama,” Marcella Pixley’s novel-in-verse, won the gold medal for Jewish children’s literature for middle-grade readers from the Association of Jewish Libraries.

Stories of ghosts, grief and Shabbat gladness win top prizes in Jewish children’s literature

“Neshama,” Marcella Pixley’s lyrically written novel-in-verse, won the gold medal for Jewish children’s literature for middle-grade readers from the Association of Jewish Libraries.

JANUARY 27, 2026|ByPENNY SCHWARTZ/ JTA

From Hillel and Shamai to Trump and Netanyahu: Polarized, divided Jewry is dangerous - opinion

Jews have always had differences of opinion, and it has never shown the best of us. We can't be divided anymore.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByMICAH HALPERN

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a press conference after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, US, December 29, 2025.

Patriarchs’ statement on Christian Zionism lacked pastoral care - opinon

Church leaders’ January 17 message prioritizes jurisdiction and control over empathy, dialogue, and guidance for local believers.

JANUARY 26, 2026ByREV. DR. PETRA HELDT/THE MEDIA LINE

Armenian Orthodox worshippers arrive at the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, to celebrate Christmas and Epiphany, January 18, 2026

Concert unites community with music for OneFamily victims in Ra'anana

OneFamily hosts “A Concert of Love & Hope” in Ra’anana, featuring Azi Schwartz and guest performers from around the world.

JANUARY 25, 2026ByRACHEL COHEN

 OneFamily group photo in Cyprus.

Death penalty bill could turn terrorists into heroes - opinion

Executions won’t stop terror; they could glorify killers and spark more attacks against Israel.

JANUARY 25, 2026ByMICHAEL J. ZOOSMAN

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 17, 2025

Moral, legal issues with Israel’s terrorist death penalty - opinion

Ben-Gvir’s law treats non-Jewish lives as unequal, risking Israel’s moral and global standing.

JANUARY 25, 2026ByYITZ GREENBERG

Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir walks inside the Knesset, on the day US President Donald Trump delivers remarks, in Jerusalem, October 13, 2025.

Collapse of responsibility in the name of faith - opinion

Parashat Bo warns: true faith demands responsibility, that honoring life means accountability and protecting the vulnerable.

JANUARY 25, 2026ByJONATHAN LIEBERMAN

Ultra-Othodox Jewish men block a road and clash with police during a protest against the autopsy of toddlers who died in a daycare, on Tuesday. These protests were not about honoring the dead, but about avoiding accontability, the writer argues.

Everyday heroines: Quiet burden of Israeli anchors waiting at home during wartime

While soldiers served for months, their partners carried the home front alone; now facing the emotional aftermath few see.

JANUARY 24, 2026ByMICHAL RONESS

One should act heroically like a lion to get up in the morning to serve his Creator, the ‘Shulchan Aruch’ says.

Compassion vs halacha: UK assisted dying bill sparks Jewish debate

RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS: Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Romain and UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis answer questions on the religious and ethical implications of assisted dying as the UK passed a law on the matter.

JANUARY 24, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

"There is nothing sacred about suffering," argued Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Romain, who told the ‘Post’ that Jewish values of compassion should guide end-of-life care.

Secular Manhattan private school holds annual Shabbat gathering post-October 7

At the Town School, officials and parents say, the entire school community has embraced the Shabbat celebrations alongside the other special events held to honor students’ traditions.

JANUARY 24, 2026ByJACKIE HAJDENBERG/JTA

Students and parents at the Upper East Side's Town School celebrate the school's third annual Shabbat.

Zionism is not collapsing - it is paying the price of long neglect - opinion

October 7 did not create the crisis: It removed the insulation. What Zionism needs now is not another campaign. It requires a re-founding.

JANUARY 24, 2026ByADAM SCOTT BELLOS

A silhouette of Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, is displayed near a flag of the state of Israel on a building in Jerusalem.