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.

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

SIMON BETUEL in his home studio.

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

Jewish book lovers gather at the Jewish Book Council's offices in Manhattan, July 19, 2023.

Jewish authors slam Jewish Book Council for ‘bias toward centering Israeli, Zionist voices’

A new open letter signed by 42 authors argues that the Jewish Book Council, which was founded in 1925, should commit itself more to spotlighting Jewish voices who disagree with traditional Zionism.

APRIL 11, 2026|ByANDREW LAPIN/JTA

In the kitchen with Henny: Easy Purim, Passover dinners using what’s already in your kitchen

From Purim treats to Passover prep, turn leftovers and pantry staples into nourishing, stress-free dinners.

MARCH 7, 2026ByHENNY SHOR

Henny Shor

Echoes of Egypt: Haggadah that brings ancient Egypt to your seder

Experience a Haggadah that brings 3,000 years of Egyptian imagery to life.

MARCH 7, 2026ByMICHAEL BERNSTEIN

Close-up of the Merenptah Stele, mentioning Israel on line 27.

Parashat Ki Tisa: Fear and the choice of courage

From the golden calf to today, fear tests us, but faith and courage show the way forward.

MARCH 6, 2026ByMOSHE TARAGIN

Taking cover in Tel Aviv, March 1.

Parashat Ki Tisa: Sin of the golden calf and the test of patience

Impatience at Sinai led to the golden calf, teaching that true faith and redemption demand patience, not glittering shortcuts.

MARCH 6, 2026ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

Impatience has led to many people losing their own private Garden of Eden.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

MARCH 6, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candles

A war-weary Jerusalem marks Purim one day after the rest of the world

Early morning sirens coincided with the morning of Shushan Purim, as thousands of Israelis gathered, despite a prohibition on public gatherings, to fulfill the mitzvah of hosting a Megillah reading.

MARCH 5, 2026ByTHEIA CHATELLE/JTA

A man wearing a wolf costume with his daughter dressed as Little Red Riding Hood shops at a stall in the Machane Yeduda market in Jerusalem, which was operating at limited capacity because of the war with Iran, during Purim in Jerusalem, March 4, 2026.

From Hollywood to aliyah and wartime: Diane Neal’s leap of faith

The former television star opens up about loss, Israel and why she chose to begin again during war.

MARCH 3, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS

Diane Neal sits down with The Post to disucss her aliyah story.

Purim 2026: The hidden miracle of Jewish survival across generations - opinion

Purim reminds us that Jewish continuity is a miracle, sustained by belief, identity, and unwavering strength.

MARCH 3, 2026ByMENACHEM SPIEGEL

19th-century Megillat Esther linked to Gaza's Jewish community up for auction in Jerusalem.

Purim 2026: It’s not over until it’s good - opinion

Living in Israel during these past years of war has made the message of Purim painfully real.

MARCH 3, 2026ByYAEL ECKSTEIN

Israelis celebrate Purim on the streets of Jerusalem amid war with Iran, March 3, 2026

The Book of Esther: How letters preserved Jewish identity across empires and exile - opinion

How the Book of Esther uses letters to safeguard Jewish identity and language during exile and empire.

MARCH 3, 2026ByMOSHE TARAGIN

Reading ‘Megillat Esther’ in Safed: Hebrew returned because the people it spoke for had returned.