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Judaism is one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions, with roots stretching back more than 3,000 years to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, regarded as the founders of the people of Israel. Its foundation is the covenant between God and the people of Israel, recorded in the Torah, the Five Books of Moses. The Torah forms the core of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and continues to guide Jewish faith, ethics, and daily practice.
At the heart of Judaism lies the belief in one, indivisible, and invisible God (YHWH), the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Humanity is seen as created in the divine image, entrusted with moral responsibility for justice, compassion, and truth. Jewish life is expressed through the study of sacred texts, prayer, and adherence to the 613 mitzvot, the divine commandments that structure daily conduct.
Judaism intertwines religion, ethics, and community. Family life, the Sabbath as a day of rest, and numerous festivals — including Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah — shape the spiritual and social rhythm of the year.
Throughout its history, Judaism has undergone profound transformations: from the Temple worship of ancient Jerusalem to the rabbinic tradition that arose after its destruction, and later to the emergence of Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform movements. Jewish philosophy — from Philo of Alexandria and Maimonides to modern thinkers like Martin Buber — united faith with reason, shaping both religious and humanistic thought.
Despite centuries of persecution and diaspora, Judaism has preserved its spiritual vitality and profoundly influenced Christianity and Islam. Today it remains a global tradition rooted in learning, ethics, and resilience. Central to its worldview is the idea of Tikkun Olam, the “repair of the world” through human action — a timeless call for justice, compassion, and hope.
