Judaism

~6 mins

Judaism is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, with over 3,500 years of history and 15 million adherents worldwide. It emphasises the covenant between God and the Jewish people, ethical living according to divine law, and the importance of community, learning, and social justice.

1) Judaism exists because Jews believe God chose Abraham around 2000 BCE to establish a special covenant — a binding agreement where God promises to bless Abraham's descendants whilst they agree to follow God's laws and be "a light unto the nations." This covenant was renewed with Isaac, Jacob (renamed Israel), and Moses, who received the Torah at Mount Sinai. Judaism sees itself as both a religion and an ethnicity — one can be Jewish by birth (through the mother) or conversion, and Jewish identity persists even if one doesn't practice the religion.

2) The Torah is Judaism's most sacred text — the Five Books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) containing 613 commandments (mitzvot) that govern Jewish life. Jews believe God dictated the Torah to Moses word-for-word, making it the direct revelation of divine will. The Torah scroll is hand-written on parchment by trained scribes and treated with utmost reverence — it's the centrepiece of synagogue worship and Jewish learning. Reading the entire Torah takes one year, with weekly portions (parshiot) studied continuously in an eternal cycle.

Related: Torah | 613 Mitzvot | Torah Scroll

3) Shabbat is Judaism's weekly sabbath, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, commemorating God's rest after creating the world. Jews light candles, say blessings over wine and bread, attend synagogue services, and refrain from work — including cooking, driving, using electricity, or handling money. Shabbat creates a sacred pause in ordinary time, emphasising family, community, study, and spiritual reflection over productivity and materialism. Orthodox Jews observe Shabbat strictly, whilst Reform and Conservative Jews adapt the laws to modern life whilst maintaining the day's spiritual essence.

Related: Shabbat | Shabbat Candles | Havdalah

4) Kashrut refers to Jewish dietary laws defining which foods are kosher (permitted) and how they must be prepared. Jews may eat animals that both chew cud and have split hooves (cattle, sheep, goats) and fish with fins and scales, but not pork, shellfish, or birds of prey. Meat and dairy cannot be mixed — separate dishes, utensils, and preparation areas are required. These laws aren't about health but holiness — sanctifying the act of eating and distinguishing Jewish identity. Kosher certification has become a global industry worth billions, ensuring observant Jews can maintain their dietary laws anywhere.

Related: Kashrut | Kosher Foods | Treif

5) Bar/Bat Mitzvah marks the transition to Jewish adulthood at age 13 for boys and 12 for girls (though many communities now celebrate both at 13). The young person reads from the Torah in Hebrew, delivers a speech about their Torah portion, and becomes obligated to observe Jewish commandments. This ceremony represents taking responsibility for one's Jewish identity and religious obligations. Modern celebrations often include elaborate parties, but the core meaning is spiritual maturity — the young adult can now be counted in a minyan (prayer quorum) and make independent religious decisions.

Related: Bar/Bat Mitzvah | Minyan | Torah Reading

6) The High Holy Days — Rosh Hashanah (New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) — are Judaism's most solemn period, focusing on repentance, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal. Rosh Hashanah celebrates the creation of the world and God's sovereignty, marked by blowing the shofar (ram's horn) and eating symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey for a sweet new year. Yom Kippur, ten days later, is a complete fast when Jews confess sins, seek forgiveness, and commit to moral improvement. These days emphasise that humans can change and that God is both just and merciful.

7) Passover commemorates the Exodus from Egypt when God freed the Israelites from slavery around 1300 BCE. Jews avoid leavened bread (chametz) for eight days, eating matzah (unleavened bread) instead, remembering how their ancestors fled Egypt so quickly the bread didn't have time to rise. The Seder meal on the first night retells the Exodus story through readings, symbolic foods, and questions from children. Passover emphasises freedom, justice, and God's intervention in history — themes that have inspired liberation movements throughout history, from American abolitionists to civil rights leaders.

Related: Passover | Passover Seder | Exodus

8) The synagogue serves as the centre of Jewish communal life — a place for prayer, study, and community gathering. Unlike temples in ancient times where priests offered sacrifices, synagogues emphasise prayer and Torah reading led by lay people or rabbis. Services include the Shema (declaring God's unity), the Amidah (standing prayer), and Torah reading. Synagogues face Jerusalem, contain an ark holding Torah scrolls, and feature an eternal flame symbolising God's constant presence. They also serve as schools, community centres, and venues for lifecycle events like weddings and Bar Mitzvahs.

Related: Synagogue | Jewish Prayer | Shema

9) Rabbis are Jewish religious teachers and legal authorities, not priests or intermediaries between God and people. The title means "my teacher" and is earned through extensive study of Jewish law, ethics, and texts. Rabbis interpret religious law, lead communities, officiate at weddings and funerals, and provide spiritual guidance. They can marry and have families, and in non-Orthodox movements, women can become rabbis. The rabbinical tradition emphasises learning, debate, and practical application of Jewish values rather than mystical authority or divine appointment.

Related: Rabbi | Halakha | Women Rabbis

10) The Talmud is a vast collection of rabbinical discussions and interpretations of the Torah, compiled over centuries in Babylon and Palestine. It contains the Mishnah (oral law) and Gemara (commentary on the Mishnah), covering everything from ritual law to ethics, agriculture to astronomy. The Talmud represents Judaism's commitment to continuous learning and debate — rabbis argue, question, and reinterpret texts across generations. Study of Talmud develops analytical thinking and ethical reasoning, making it central to Jewish education and the foundation of Jewish law.

Related: Talmud | Mishnah | Gemara

11) Jewish denominations developed in response to modernity and different approaches to Jewish law and practice. Orthodox Judaism maintains strict adherence to traditional law and practice, believing the Torah and rabbinic interpretations are eternally binding. Conservative Judaism allows for some adaptation whilst preserving core traditions. Reform Judaism emphasises ethical teachings over ritual law, adapting practices to contemporary life. Reconstructionist Judaism views Judaism as an evolving religious civilisation. Despite differences, all movements share core beliefs in one God, the covenant, and Jewish peoplehood.

12) The Messiah in Judaism is a future human leader who will restore the Kingdom of Israel, rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, bring universal peace, and usher in an age when all humanity recognises God. Unlike Christianity, Jews don't believe the Messiah has already come — they await a human descendant of King David who will fulfil these prophecies through natural means, not supernatural intervention. Some Jews interpret messianic prophecies literally, others metaphorically as humanity's moral progress. The messianic hope has sustained Jewish communities through centuries of persecution and exile.

13) Zionism is the movement for Jewish self-determination in their ancestral homeland of Israel/Palestine. It emerged in the 19th century as Jews faced persecution in Europe and sought a national solution to anti-Semitism. Theodor Herzl and other leaders argued Jews needed their own state to be safe and free. After the Holocaust, the United Nations supported creating Israel in 1948. Zionism remains controversial — most Jews support Israel's existence whilst debating its policies, but some ultra-Orthodox Jews reject Zionism as premature before the Messiah comes, and some progressive Jews criticise Israeli treatment of Palestinians.

Related: Zionism | Theodor Herzl | Israel

14) The Holocaust (Shoah) was the systematic murder of six million Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during World War II. It represents the ultimate expression of anti-Semitism — hatred of Jews that has persisted throughout history in various forms. The Holocaust profoundly affected Jewish identity, accelerated the creation of Israel, and raised theological questions about God's role in history. Holocaust remembrance is central to contemporary Jewish identity, with the phrase "Never Again" representing determination to prevent future genocides against any people.

15) Jewish lifecycle events mark major transitions with religious ceremonies that connect individuals to their community and heritage. Brit milah (circumcision) for boys and naming ceremonies for girls welcome children into the covenant. Bar/Bat Mitzvah marks religious adulthood. Jewish weddings include breaking a glass to remember the destroyed Temple. Mourning practices include sitting shiva (seven days of mourning) and saying kaddish (memorial prayer) for eleven months. These rituals create continuity across generations and provide structure during life's major moments.

Related: Brit Milah | Jewish Wedding | Shiva

16) Tikkun olam means "repairing the world" and represents Judaism's emphasis on social justice and ethical action. Jews believe they're partners with God in perfecting creation through acts of kindness, justice, and moral behaviour. This concept motivates Jewish involvement in civil rights, poverty reduction, environmental protection, and human rights advocacy. Many Jewish organisations focus on social action, from local community service to international humanitarian work. Tikkun olam transforms religious belief into practical action for making the world more just and compassionate.

17) Jewish learning and scholarship have always been highly valued, with the phrase "study is greater than action because it leads to action" reflecting this priority. Traditional Jewish education emphasises questioning, debate, and multiple interpretations rather than accepting simple answers. Yeshivas (religious schools) focus on Talmudic study, whilst Jewish day schools integrate religious and secular education. Jews have won disproportionate numbers of Nobel Prizes, reflecting this cultural emphasis on learning and intellectual achievement. Education is seen as both a religious obligation and a practical necessity for Jewish survival.

18) Kabbalah is Jewish mysticism seeking direct experience of God through esoteric knowledge and spiritual practices. It interprets the Torah symbolically, describes divine emanations (sefirot), and teaches that human actions affect cosmic harmony. The Zohar, Kabbalah's central text, presents mystical interpretations of biblical stories. Kabbalah influenced Jewish prayer, ethics, and thought, though it remained largely hidden until recent decades. Today, some celebrities promote popularised versions, but authentic Kabbalah requires extensive Jewish learning and is traditionally studied only by mature, observant Jews.

Related: Kabbalah | Zohar | Sefirot

19) Jewish holidays celebrate historical events, agricultural cycles, and spiritual themes. Sukkot commemorates the wilderness wandering with temporary huts (sukkot) and the four species (lulav, etrog, myrtle, willow). Hanukkah celebrates the Temple's rededication with eight nights of candle lighting. Purim recalls Queen Esther saving Persian Jews with costumes, noise-making, and festive meals. Tu BiShvat marks the new year of trees with fruit eating. These holidays connect Jews to their history, land, and seasonal rhythms whilst teaching religious values through celebration and ritual.

Related: Jewish Holidays | Sukkot | Hanukkah

20) Jewish contributions to world civilisation include foundational concepts of monotheism, ethics, and human dignity that influenced Christianity, Islam, and secular humanism. Jewish emphasis on education, debate, and social justice shaped Western thought. Jewish scientists, artists, philosophers, and activists have made disproportionate contributions to human knowledge and progress. From Einstein's physics to Freud's psychology, from Hollywood entertainment to civil rights activism, Jewish influence extends far beyond their small numbers. This reflects both Jewish values emphasising learning and service, and historical circumstances forcing Jews to excel in intellectual pursuits.

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