Judaism

      Judaism is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions, meaning it’s centered on the belief in one God. It began over 3,000 years ago in the Middle East with the story of Abraham, who is considered the first leader of the Jewish people. According to Jewish tradition, God made a covenant (a holy promise) with Abraham, promising that his descendants would become a great nation.

        Later, a prophet named Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and received the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, this contains laws, teachings, and history. This event is remembered through the holiday of Passover. Over centuries, Judaism has endured exile, persecution, and dispersion (known as the diaspora), yet it has remained a strong and influential tradition.

        Judaism is practiced by millions of people today and is prominent in the United States and Israel.

        Judaism focuses on a relationship with God and the Jewish people. They are guided by laws and traditions. Here are key beliefs of their customs:

• One God – Jews believe in a single, all-powerful, compassionate God who is involved in the world and cares about humanity.

• The Torah – The most sacred text in Judaism, containing commandments (mitzvot), history, and teachings. The larger Tanakh includes other writings like the Prophets and the Writings.

• The Covenant – A special promise between God and the Jewish people, which includes following God's laws and striving to live righteously.

• Mitzvot – Commandments or good deeds. There are 613 mitzvot in the Torah that guide how Jews live, covering everything from justice to prayer to what food to eat.

• Sabbath (Shabbat) – A day of rest from Friday evening to Saturday evening, honoring God’s creation of the world and allowing time for worship and family.

• Kosher Laws – Dietary rules that include no mixing of meat and dairy and avoiding certain animals (like pork and shellfish).

• Prayer and Synagogue – Daily prayers and community worship are important parts of Jewish life.

• Holidays – Major celebrations include:

  • Passover – remembering the escape from Egypt

  • Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year

  • Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement, focused on reflection and forgiveness

  • Hanukkah – a festival of lights remembering a miracle in the Temple

  • Purim – a joyful celebration of survival and courage

There are also different branches of Judaism today, such as Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform, each with different interpretations of tradition and law.

       Judaism focuses more on life here and now than on the afterlife. While some Jewish texts mention an afterlife, resurrection, or a world to come (Olam Ha-Ba), beliefs vary widely. What’s most important is living a moral, meaningful life and improving the world (Tikkun Olam – repairing the world) through justice, kindness, and good deeds.

        Judaism is a resilient and rich faith built on community, tradition, and a deep commitment to serving God and following the laws. With its ancient roots and ongoing relevance, it continues to inspire millions to live with purpose, compassion, and connection to both God and one another.