Judaism
One of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, Judaism is both a faith and a cultural identity. Rooted in the covenant between God and Abraham, it gave rise to both Christianity and Islam.
Founded
~2000 BCE
Origin
Canaan (modern-day Israel/Palestine)
Followers
15 million
Founder
Abraham (patriarch); Moses received the Torah
Featured Verse
“
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Deuteronomy 6:4 (The Shema)
Core Beliefs
- Monotheism — one God (YHWH), indivisible and without form
- Covenant — a special relationship between God and the Jewish people
- Torah — God's law as revealed to Moses, the guide for righteous living
- Tikkun Olam — repairing the world through justice and good deeds
- Messiah — belief in a future redeemer who will bring peace (not yet arrived)
Concept of God
Strict monotheism — one God, personal and just, who intervenes in history. No physical form or representation.
Afterlife
Less central than in other Abrahamic faiths. Focus is on life now. Olam Ha-Ba (World to Come) exists but details vary by denomination.
Sacred Texts
Dominant in
1 countriesData: Pew Research Center, World Religion Database, UN Population Division (2024 est.)
Key Figures
Abraham
Father of the Jewish people, first monotheist
Moses
Prophet who received the Torah at Sinai
Maimonides (Rambam)
Medieval philosopher, codified Jewish law
Key Holidays
Shabbat
Weekly day of rest, sundown Friday to Saturday night
Rosh Hashanah
Jewish New Year — reflection and repentance
Yom Kippur
Day of Atonement — fasting and prayer
Passover (Pesach)
Exodus from Egypt — freedom from slavery
Hanukkah
Festival of Lights — rededication of the Temple