Judaism, with a nearly 4,000-year history, is the oldest monotheistic religion. It is considered the authentic Abrahamic faith, predating Islam and Judaism, with a nearly 4,000-year history, is the oldest monotheistic religion. It is considered the authentic Abrahamic faith, predating Islam and Christianity. The Jewish Bible, despite historical challenges, is widely regarded as the most reliable source for early Jewish history.

The Hebrew Bible consists of three main divisions: the Torah, Neviim, and Ketuvim, collectively known as the Tanakh. In biblical literature, the pre-Israelite Canaanites are described as practicing paganism with multiple deities. To prevent assimilation, God forbade intermarriage with the Canaanites.

Read more: Israeli-Palestinian War: A detailed account of the origin of the conflict

The Assyrian empire’s expansion led to Israel’s rebellion against God, culminating in the fall of Samaria, the Northern Kingdom’s capital, to Sargon II in 722 BC. This conquest displaced many Israelites, who were forced to relocate to Judah, where they adopted Yahwism, worshipping only Yahweh.

The Babylonian conquest of Judah in 587 BC led to another forced exile, destroying the First Temple. However, the Persian king Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon in 539 BC, allowing Jews to return to Judah, rebuild the Second Temple, and compile significant portions of the Hebrew Scriptures. Following Alexander the Great’s conquest of Alexandria, Jewish religion blended with Greek culture, giving rise to Hellenistic Judaism. This marked the beginning of Hellenistic acculturation, which permeated all aspects of Jewish life.

The rise of Islam led to increased acceptance of Jewish people in the Middle East. The Arab world’s cultural similarities with Jewish people facilitated this acceptance. Under Muslim rule in Spain (9th-13th centuries), Jews thrived in all aspects of life. However, Jewish persecution spread rapidly across Europe. Key challenges faced by Jews included being labelled a “deicide” people, blamed for killing Jesus Christ, leading to massacres during the Crusades. The Reconquista led to the expulsion of Arab Muslims from Spain by Catholic monarchs. Many Jews fled Spain for the Ottoman Empire, seeking refuge. By the 17th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth became a haven for European Jews.

Today, the Jewish community is defined by a shift from passively waiting for the Messiah to actively pursuing personal and national fulfilment. This transformation was driven by the rise of anti-Semitism, exemplified by the Dreyfus affair, which prompted Theodor Herzl to establish the Zionist movement. Herzl envisioned a Jewish-controlled territory in Palestine, laying the groundwork for the modern State of Israel.

The Zionist movement gained momentum following World War I, which marked the end of the Ottoman Empire and the British guarantee of a Jewish homeland. However, the community faced unprecedented tragedy during World War II, with 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust. This devastating event led to the creation of Israel, now home to 40% of the world’s 14 million Jews.

Jewish religious movements generally agree that one can become Jewish through birth or conversion. According to halakha (Jewish law), a person is considered Jewish if born to a Jewish mother. Judaism encompasses not only religion but also ethnicity, ancestry, identity, and culture. Despite 1,800 years without territory or sovereignty after the Roman exile, the Jewish nation persevered, adapting and making significant contributions to human civilization.

Judaism Beliefs

The Jewish faith is centered on the belief in a single, all-powerful God who has formed a unique covenant with them. They believe God communicates through prophets, rewarding good deeds and punishing wrongdoing. The majority of Jews believe the Messiah has yet to arrive, but will come in due time.

Jewish worship takes place in synagogues, led by spiritual leaders called rabbis. The Star of David, a symbol composed of two overlapping equilateral triangles, is a prominent emblem of Jewish identity. It appears on synagogues, Jewish tombstones, and the flag of Israel.

Sacred Texts of Judaism

1. Tanakh

The Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, is an ancient collection of writings composed over nearly a thousand years (1000-100 BCE). It is commonly referred to as the Old Testament in English-speaking contexts. The Tanakh consists of three traditional divisions:

1. Torah (teachings)
2. Nevi’im (prophets)
3. K’tuvim (writings)

The name “Tanakh” is derived from the first Hebrew letter of each of these divisions.

2. Torah

The Jewish people deeply reverence the Torah, which they believe contains the laws given by God to Moses at Sinai. They are committed to upholding these divine guidelines for daily living. In Jewish tradition, there are two Torahs: the written Torah and the oral Torah. According to legend, Moses received both Torahs at Sinai and transmitted them to the nation during his 40-year desert sojourn.

The written Torah refers to the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These books are attributed to Moses, who received the divine message on Mount Sinai. The written Torah is also meticulously preserved in Jewish synagogues on handwritten parchment scrolls, stored in the ark of the Law. Reading the Torah is a vital part of Jewish liturgical services, and the scrolls are treated with the utmost respect.

3. Talmud

The Talmud is a sacred collection of ancient Jewish teachings, still revered today. Composed in two editions – the first in the 3rd century BC and the second in the 5th century AD – it encompasses various texts, including the Mishnah and Gemara.

The Mishnah is a compilation of original oral laws that complement Scriptural laws, while the Gemara is a collection of commentaries and elaborations on the Mishnah. Modern scholars use the term “Talmud” specifically to refer to the Gemara. This terminology was first introduced by a church censor in the 1578-1581 Basel edition of the Talmud, and has been followed in subsequent editions.

Types of Jewish Movements

1. Reform Judaism

Reform Judaism is a liberal interpretation of the Jewish faith, prioritizing ethical traditions over strict adherence to Jewish law. It is the largest affiliation among American Jewish people, with approximately 35% identifying as Reform.

Reform Judaism emphasizes the importance of updating Jewish customs to remain relevant in modern times. Its adherents promote equality, social justice, and individual autonomy, allowing people to choose how they observe Jewish rituals. This approach balances tradition with progressive values, making Reform Judaism a dynamic and inclusive expression of Jewish identity.

2. Conservative Judaism

Conservative Judaism occupies a middle ground between Orthodox and Reform Judaism. This movement seeks to balance tradition with modernization, upholding Jewish customs while adapting to contemporary circumstances. A more personalized approach is taken by conservative Jews, who preserve customs like keeping kosher while allowing some contemporary conveniences, like driving to synagogue on Shabbat.

Nonetheless, they continue to prohibit their rabbis from conducting interfaith marriage ceremonies. However, Conservative Judaism has become more inclusive in its stance on intermarriage. Approximately 18% of American Jews identify as Conservative, reflecting the movement’s enduring appeal as a moderate and adaptive expression of Jewish faith.

3. Orthodox Judaism

Orthodox Jews are known for their strict adherence to traditional Jewish laws and customs, following a conventional interpretation of Jewish law as set forth by rabbinic authorities. Within the Orthodox community, there are various subgroups, including Hasidic Jews. Originating in 18th-century Eastern Europe, Hasidic Judaism emphasizes personal relationships with God through fervent prayer and worship. The Chabad movement is a prominent example of a strict, Hasidic Jewish movement.

Orthodox Jews observe Shabbat strictly, refraining from work, driving, and financial transactions. Despite comprising only 10% of American Jews, Orthodox families tend to be larger, which contributes to a higher likelihood of their children maintaining Jewish traditions.

Types of Jewish Holidays

Jewish holidays are meaningful days that combine religious, cultural, and national elements, rooted in biblical commands, rabbinic traditions, and Jewish history. These holidays are celebrated annually on fixed dates in the Hebrew calendar, but their Gregorian calendar dates vary due to differences between the lunisolar Hebrew calendar and the solar Gregorian calendar.

Each holiday has specific dates and durations, typically ranging from four to six days. For example, Hanukkah is an eight-day holiday, while others like Tevet and Shvat may last five days. Some important holidays in Judaism include:

1. Passover

Passover commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from Ancient Egypt, as commanded by God through Moses. When the pharaoh refused, God inflicted 10 plagues, sparing the Israelites’ homes during the final plague, hence the name “Passover.” To mark this holiday, Jewish communities gather for traditional Passover meals, known as Seders, on the first two nights. The seder involves:

• Reading and storytelling
• Drinking four cups of wine
• Eating specialized foods, such as matzah and charoset
• Singing and other customs

Passover dates vary annually, as it follows the Hebrew calendar’s lunar cycles. It begins on the 15th of Nisan and ends on the 21st (or 22nd outside Israel).

2. Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, meaning “head of the year” in Hebrew, marks the Jewish New Year. This significant day commemorates the birthday of the universe and the creation of Adam and Eve. It typically falls in September or early October, culminating the Jewish year.

3. Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is Judaism’s most sacred holiday, typically occurring in September or October. It marks the end of the 10 Days of Awe, a period of reflection and repentance following Rosh Hashanah.

According to Jewish tradition, on Yom Kippur, God determines each person’s fate. To prepare, individuals are encouraged to:

• Reflect on past mistakes
• Seek forgiveness
• Fast for 25 hours
• Attend a synagogue service

Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah collectively form the High Holy Days, a sacred period in the Jewish calendar.

4. Hanukkah

Hanukkah, meaning “dedication” in Hebrew, is an eight-day Jewish festival celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the 2nd century BC. It commemorates the bravery of Jewish rebels who fought against Greek-Syrian oppressors during the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, usually falling in November or December.

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