Background
Judaism is a religious tradition with an extensive history stretching back more than two thousand years. Originating in the ancient Middle East, it has been practiced by Jews around the world ever since, with a particular concentration in the Mediterranean area. Over the centuries, the faith has spread to the Americas, Europe, and elsewhere. In modern times, it is the dominant religion in Israel and the most widely practiced religion among Jewish populations throughout the world.
At its core, Judaism is a monotheistic religion that believes in a single, omniscient, and omnipotent God. Followers of Judaism bind together through a set of laws, known as halacha, which covers all aspects of life, including dietary laws, rules for prayer and worship, and laws of morality and ethics. Jews are expected to follow these laws in order to live a righteous life.
Practices
A primary Jewish practice is the observance of Shabbat, which is the seventh day of the week (Saturday). Shabbat commences before sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday, and requires that Jews abstain from work, travel, and commerce. Judaism also emphasizes the importance of gathering with family and friends to worship and celebrate Shabbat, with families sitting down to a festive dinner on Friday night and on Saturday day.
Other major Jewish religious practices include the three major holidays of Pesach (Passover), Shavuot, and Sukkot, all of which are important commemorations of events recorded in the Bible. Jews also celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, two of the most significant holidays in the Jewish year.
Beliefs
Judaism places a strong emphasis on the belief in a single, omniscient God who rules the universe. Jews believe that God rewards good deeds, punishes evil ones, and that human beings have the ability to shape their own destinies. Jews also believe in the importance of eulogizing their dead and honoring the commandments of the Torah.
The core text of Judaism, known as the Torah, is a collection of texts containing laws, guidance, and stories about the history of the Jewish people as well as their relationship with God. The Torah was revealed through Moses on Mount Sinai approximately three thousand years ago, and it serves as the main source of authority and guidance in Jewish practice. Another key religious text of Judaism is the Talmud, a collection of written and oral laws, which includes commentaries and interpretations of the Torah.
Languages
The primary language of prayer and worship in Judaism is Hebrew. Jewish prayer books, known as siddurim, are filled with prayers in Hebrew, and the Hebrew Bible is the authoritative text of Judaism. In addition to Hebrew, Jews are often multilingual and also speak their native language, as well as the language of the country in which they live.
Rituals
Jew’s participate in a variety of rituals, including Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs, which mark a child’s entrance into adulthood, and weddings. Jews also practice circumcision, as well as immersion in a ritual pool to symbolize ritual cleansing. Jewish ritual items, such as yarmulkes, mezuzahs, and tefillin, are also used in various religious ceremonies.
Culture
Judaism has deeply influenced the culture of the Jewish people. Jewish cuisine, for example, is influenced by the laws of kashrut, or Jewish dietary laws, which dictate what types of food are permissible to eat and how they must be prepared. Jewish music, art, and literature have also been strongly influenced by Jewish culture, with many Jewish authors, musicians, and artists drawing from their respective traditions to create works that are renowned both within and beyond the Jewish community.
Current Status
Today, there are approximately 14 million Jews living around the world. The largest community is located in the United States, with approximately 5.7 million Jews living in all of its states. The second-largest population is located in Israel, with approximately 5.3 million Jews living throughout the country. Other large Jewish populations exist in France (over 600,000), Canada (over 350,000), Britain (over 300,000), Ukraine (over 175,000), and Germany (over 120,000).
Education
The primary institution in which Jews receive religious education is the synagogue. Synagogues offer classes on Jewish rituals and customs, prayers, and text study. Jewish day schools, which often integrate Jewish religious studies into a secular curriculum, are popular options for children from orthodox Jewish families. In addition, adult education classes on the Torah, Talmud, and other religious texts are offered at many synagogues around the world.
Significance
Judaism is a rich and influential tradition, one that has shaped and informed the lives of millions of people around the world. As its followers strive to observe its laws and traditions, Judaism serves as a strong reminder of the importance of justice, morality, and respect for all people, regardless of their beliefs.
Scriptures
The primary text of Judaism is the Hebrew Bible, which includes the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. The Torah is the core text of Judaism and is the source of its main laws and teachings. Jews also study rabbinic texts, such as the Mishnah and the Talmud, which contain interpretations of the Torah and commentaries on Jewish life. Additionally, Jews rely on the responsa literature, which is a corpus of scholarly opinions on Jewish law written by leading rabbis.
Media
Media outlets for Jewish news and culture, such as newspapers, magazines, and radio stations, have proliferated in recent years, offering Jews from around the world the ability to stay connected to the global Jewish community. In addition, Jewish films, television shows, and theatrical productions have become increasingly popular, and are enjoyed by Jews and non-Jews alike.
Ritual Objects
Ritual objects, such as the mezuzah, tefillin, and shofar, are important symbols in Judaism and are used in various religious ceremonies and life cycle events. The mezuzah is an object affixed to the doorpost of a Jewish home, and is intended to remind those dwelling in the house to adhere to the laws of Judaism. Tefillin is a set of small black leather boxes that contain handwritten scrolls of parchment inscribed with Biblical passages, and are worn by observant Jews during morning prayers. The shofar, which is a ceremonial ram’s horn, is sounded on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur to commemorate the Jewish New Year and Day of Atonement.
Segregation
In certain ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities, particularly Hasidic ones, there are certain garments, such as a head-covering for women and a beard for married men, that are widely worn as a sign of modesty and piety. Additionally, members of these communities often adhere to strict gender segregation rules that dictate that men and women should not sit together in public places, such as synagogues or buses.
Aliyahs
An aliyah is an overseas move to settle in Israel. Jews from around the world have been moving to Israel for centuries, and today nearly three million Jews have settled in Israel since the founding of the state in 1948. Israel-bound Jews must go through a process of conversion and take courses in Hebrew and Israeli culture before they are permitted to immigrate. Once in Israel, new immigrants are given the opportunity to join the work force and contribute to the country’s ever-growing economy.
