judaism

Judaism is an ancient monotheistic religion and culture of the Jewish people. It centers on belief in one God and the covenant described in the Hebrew Bible with the people of Israel. At its core is the Torah, the first five books, together with the further writings in the Tanakh, and the elaborations of the Talmud. Jewish law and practice, or Halakha, derive from these texts and guide daily life, ritual, and ethical conduct.

Judaism emphasizes justice, compassion, and communal responsibility. Practices include daily prayer, observance of Shabbat (the Sabbath), and holidays, as well as adherence to dietary laws known as kashrut. Lifecycle rituals include brit milah (circumcision) for boys, bar or bat mitzvah, marriage, and mourning rites.

Religious life varies among communities and movements, including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and other streams. Major holidays include Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, and Shavuot. Languages associated with Judaism are Hebrew and Aramaic in liturgy; modern Hebrew is the national language of Israel.

History spans from ancient Israel and the biblical period, through the Second Temple era and the Diaspora, with Rabbinic Judaism emerging after 70 CE. In the modern era, Zionism and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 have shaped contemporary life. Demographics are concentrated in Israel and the United States, with sizable communities worldwide.

Core texts include the Tanakh and the Talmud, with additional writings in midrash and later legal codes contributing to tradition. Judaism has influenced religious and ethical thought in many regions and remains diverse in practice and belief.