Judaism

Judaism
Family	Abrahamic
Origin region	Ancient Israel and Judah
Founding period	Ancient; biblical and Second Temple periods with rabbinic development after 70 CE
Estimated adherents	Roughly 15 million globally.

Judaism is The covenantal monotheistic tradition of the Jewish people, centered on Torah, mitzvot, memory, worship, and communal life.

Overview

Judaism includes religious, legal, ethical, cultural, and peoplehood dimensions. Jewish life is shaped by Torah, rabbinic interpretation, prayer, holidays, Sabbath observance, family practice, and historical memory.

Key beliefs

One God and covenant with Israel
Torah as instruction and sacred teaching
Mitzvot as commandments and practices shaping holy life
Memory, justice, repentance, and communal responsibility

Practices

Shabbat
Prayer
Torah study
Kosher dietary practice in many communities
Circumcision for boys in many communities
Lifecycle rituals
Tzedakah

Places of worship

Synagogue
Temple in some denominational language
Beit midrash

Sacred texts

Tanakh / Hebrew Bible
Mishnah
Talmud
Midrash
Siddur
Rabbinic legal and philosophical works

Holidays and observances

Rosh Hashanah
Yom Kippur
Passover
Sukkot
Shavuot
Hanukkah
Purim

Branches and related traditions

Orthodox Judaism - Traditions maintaining binding halakhic observance, including Modern Orthodox, Haredi, and Hasidic communities.
Conservative Judaism - A modern movement balancing Jewish law, tradition, and historical development.
Reform Judaism - A movement emphasizing ethical monotheism, personal autonomy, and adaptation of Jewish practice.
Reconstructionist Judaism - A modern movement viewing Judaism as an evolving religious civilization.