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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]- 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
[edit | edit source]- Shabbat
- Prayer
- Torah study
- Kosher dietary practice in many communities
- Circumcision for boys in many communities
- Lifecycle rituals
- Tzedakah
Places of worship
[edit | edit source]- Synagogue
- Temple in some denominational language
- Beit midrash
Sacred texts
[edit | edit source]- Tanakh / Hebrew Bible
- Mishnah
- Talmud
- Midrash
- Siddur
- Rabbinic legal and philosophical works
Holidays and observances
[edit | edit source]- Rosh Hashanah
- Yom Kippur
- Passover
- Sukkot
- Shavuot
- Hanukkah
- Purim
Branches and related traditions
[edit | edit source]- 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.