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.

Perpetual Jewish family traits: Jewish genealogy, history explored by Am haZikaron Institute

Using an exact-sciences approach endorsed by a committee of 55 Nobel laureates, Am haZikaron can reveal the unique characteristics of one’s clan that have been preserved for centuries.

APRIL 12, 2026|ByABIGAIL KLEIN LEICHMAN

A SECTION of Jonathan Vidgop’s family tree on the walls of the Am haZikaron office in Tel Aviv.

SIMON BETUEL in his home studio.

Simon Betuel: Cosmetics producer by day, artist by night

Influenced by the palettes of Rubens, Klimt, Vrubel, and especially El Greco, Betuel executes deeply Jewish paintings in both figurative and abstract styles.

APRIL 11, 2026|ByABIGAIL KLEIN LEICHMAN

FOR ISRAEL in the here and now, these ideas are playing out in real time

A deeper reflection: Why the Passover story still matters today - opinion

The lesson that lingers is that freedom is not just about leaving a place of hardship; it is about creating a reality where that hardship does not repeat itself.

APRIL 11, 2026|BySTEWART WEISS

THEODOR HERZL, the solution appeared straightforward. Pictured: Theodor Herzl’s portrait on the 100-lira note (preceding the shekel), 1965

The sky is no longer silent: Antisemitism persists, but Jews are no longer defenseless - opinion

For the first time in centuries, Jews are not merely subjects of history but active participants within it.

APRIL 11, 2026|ByMOSHE TARAGIN

Parashat Vayikra: Mutual responsibility

Vayikra’s message of purity, repentance, and unity teaches that even without sacrifices, we can draw closer to God and to one another.

MARCH 20, 2026ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

‘To be worthy, every individual must work on himself.’

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

MARCH 20, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles

Jan. 6 protester Jake Lang renounced his Judaism to court the far right. It isn’t working

Far-right, antisemitic media personalities such as Dan Bilzerian and Nick Fuentes slammed Lang for being a "Jewish operative" and a Jew "larping as a white Christian."

MARCH 19, 2026ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

Far-right influencer Jake Lang speaks in front of Gracie Mansion regarding the attempted bombing at a protest organized by the influencer on Saturday, on March 9, 2026 in New York City. Two suspects were arrested on March 7 for allegedly throwing bombs that did not explode during a protest outside G

The next war after Iran: The battle for the soul of Islam - opinion

The Muslim leaders who oppose radical Islamists, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and the Iranian Ayatollahs, must be supported and protected.

MARCH 16, 2026ByMOSHE DANN

Gunmen stand guard at the funeral of Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas deputy military commander who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, February 7, 2025.

Understanding the psychology driving modern antisemitism - opinion

Facts often fail against antisemitism because beliefs are shaped by emotion and identity long before evidence enters the debate.

MARCH 16, 2026ByMICHELLE BLUMENFELD

PROTESTERS FORM up behind a banner during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London, on March 15, 2026.

From Parshat Zachor to war with Iran: Israel will never be defenseless - opinion

From a synagogue reading to the skies over Iran, the US-Israel alliance shows its enduring strength.

MARCH 15, 2026ByJOSHUA Z. LAVINE

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the entrance of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 7, 2025.

American Jews balance Democratic party loyalty with concerns over Iran - opinion

Between loyalty to Democrats and concern for Israel, American Jews navigate their stance on the Iran war.

MARCH 14, 2026ByBATSHEVA NEUER

American Jews [Illustrative]

Trump will go down as one of the Jewish people's greatest friends - opinion

With Israel’s future on the line, Trump’s support has reshaped the conflict with Iran in ways no previous president has.

MARCH 14, 2026BySTEWART WEISS

People walk by a billboard commissioned by an evangelical group, which displays a picture of U.S. President Donald Trump with the words "Thank you God & Donald Trump", amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 12, 2026.

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.