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.

On Shabbat Nachamu, Isaiah reminds us that human power is just an illusion

Isaiah declares, “Behold, the nations are as a drop from a bucket, and are regarded as the dust on the scales... All the nations are as nothing before Him” (Isaiah 40:15,17).

JULY 25, 2026|ByMICHAEL FREUND

Every generation has its super powers.

Taking in a Tanach lecture, Alon Shvut.

At Israel's biggest Bible study gathering, thousands turn to Tanakh for answers on politics

The event, founded initially 33 years ago by Rabbi Yoel Bin-Nun as a summer professional development program for teachers, has grown into a major annual gathering that is open to the public.

JULY 24, 2026|ByALAN ROSENBAUM

JEWISH IMMIGRANTS from Europe arrive in Haifa in 1929. Drawing on Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of ‘The Odyssey,’ the writer explores why the Jewish return to Zion remains one of history’s enduring homecoming narratives.

Middle Israel: How 'The Odyssey' echoes the Jewish story of homecoming - opinion

Written roughly in the time of Isaiah, The Odyssey had nothing to do with the Jews. Its narrative, however, sure is relevant to the Jews, as their own narrative comes under assault.

JULY 24, 2026|ByAMOTZ ASA-EL

Moses on Sinai (Le tables de Loi judaique), 1773. Artist Simon Julien.

Parashat Va'ethanan: The positive within the negative

The Ten Commandments are not an independent list of fundamental principles, but rather the nucleus from which the entire Torah unfolds - its genetic code.

JULY 24, 2026|ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

Caught between two homelands, a Lebanese Christian finds his place in Israel

From South Lebanon to Israel, a displaced Christian shares a life shaped by war, faith, and divided identity.

JUNE 13, 2026ByJONATHAN FELDSTEIN

Beirut, Martyrs' Square, 1960s: They remember a country once defined by culture, tourism, openness, and coexistence.

This month in Jewish history: Nobel and Noble

From Joseph’s birth to Entebbe’s rescue, discover the defining Jewish milestones, heroes, tragedies, and triumphs of Tammuz.

JUNE 13, 2026BySTEVEN DRUCKER

Night view of Prague’s rotating ‘Head of Franz Kafka’ sculpture.

Parashat Korah: Misreading intentions

Korah's rebellion shows how mistrust and competing narratives destroy dialogue, as reflected today in Israel’s haredi draft divide.

JUNE 12, 2026ByMOSHE TARAGIN

Meira Sohlberg, wife of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg, reacts to the attack by haredi protesters on their Alon Shvut home, June 3.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat candle lighting times for your area.

JUNE 12, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles

Parashat Korah: The story of the almond – and of diligence

When Korach questions Moses’ authority, a simple staff becomes a powerful symbol of divine choice and enduring leadership.

JUNE 12, 2026ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

Almond trees bloom near the border with Lebanon.

By passing Torah Study law, Israel risks turning holiness into a bargaining chip - editorial

A government that truly cared about Torah would not use it to divide soldiers from students, mourners from politicians, and Jews from one another.

JUNE 12, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL

Ultra orthoodx jewish men block a road and clash with police during a protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, on road 6 near the Ben Shemen junction, June 11, 2026.

Lebanon peace talks expose a widening rift between Europe, the region - opinion

The Iran war and Lebanon talks highlight new alliances that are reshaping the Middle East landscape.

JUNE 10, 2026ByGOL KALEV

US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa holds an "America is back" hat signed by US President Donald Trump next to Lebanon Ambassador to the US Nada Hamadeh Moawad, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington DC, April 23, 2026.

It's time for Israel to end Temple Mount appeasement for good - opinion

From detention for silent prayer to public worship, the Temple Mount has undergone a remarkable transformation.

JUNE 7, 2026ByDAVID KIRSHENBAUM

The Dome of the Rock and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City as viewed from the Mount of Olives. This place should be for all who are interested in free and safe access and peaceful worship together, the writer maintains.

Could you hold a lost piece of Western Wall history? Jerusalem museum seeks rare photos

A new exhibition hopes to uncover rare Western Wall photographs tucked away in attics, basements, and family albums.

JUNE 7, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

‘Tower of David,’ taken by A.O. Freedman, c. 1920.

Jew vs Jew: New York, Israel, and the crisis of Jewish solidarity - opinion

As antisemitism rises, the widening rift among Jews over Israel raises urgent questions about Jewish unity.

JUNE 7, 2026BySTEWART WEISS

Chai Riders line up in this year’s Salute to Israel parade in Manhattan, May 31.