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.

Jerusalem highlights: January 30-February 5

What's new to do in Israel's capital?

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Ginat Rice in Jerusalem.

RED HEIFER

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

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Shabbat candles

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

JANUARY 30, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Parashat Vayechi: King David's lesson in leadership

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A mosaic of King David (illustartive)

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REUVEN RIVLIN with leaders of the Supreme Court during his round of farewells at the end of his presidency in 2021.

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Prominent Jewish communal leader Rabbi Julius Berman dies at 90.

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Shmuel Legesse at his wedding at The Sephardic Temple of Cedarhurst in Cedarhurst, NY, June 8, 2014.

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Tucker Carlson speaks during AmericaFest, the first Turning Point USA summit since the death of Charlie Kirk, in Phoenix, Arizona, US December 18, 2025.

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Rabbi Rafi Ellenson (L) and Rabbi Arielle Stein (R), the creators of the "Rabbinic Fit Check" Instagram account.

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Imogene Coca and Sid Caesar in a promotional photo for "Your Show of Shows," in 1952. The television show ran on NBC from 1950 to 1954.

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Iraqi Jews pray at the tomb of Ezekiel in Al-Kifl in southeastern Iraq on the Euphrates River, between Najaf and Al Hillah, in 1932.

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AI education illustrative

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Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, alongside David Fattal, chats with Assaf and Nadav Fattal.