Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion in the world, having originated in the Middle East more than 3,000 years ago with patriarch Abraham.
As the first Abrahamic religion, Judaism has played a major role in shaping the history of the world, having greatly influenced the development of Christianity and Islam, despite having always had a relatively small amount of adherents by comparison.
The religion itself is built off of the "written Torah" of the Bible, known in Judaism as the Tanach, and the "oral Torah" of the Mishna, Talmud and other great works of leading rabbis throughout history.
Judaism itself has no single leading figure, and is divided into multiple streams, such as the ultra-Orthodox (haredi), Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. Further differences also exist along the lines of historic Diasporic communities, such as Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jewry.
Today, the largest concentration of adherents of Judaism can be found in Israel, with the US having the second-largest.
In a world of swipe-right culture, Aleeza Ben Shalom brings something timeless: the belief that love, when pursued with intention and faith, can change everything.
Step one – as epitomized by Purim – is the struggle to bring the Jews together, to unite as a loving community, albeit in a foreign land. Step two – Passover – is the forming of our own nation.
Snippets from Rabbi Nathan Cardozo’s commentary on the ‘Book of Leviticus’
In addition to the core activities of reading the Megillah, sending gifts (mishloach manot), and donating three half shekels to charity, Purim is a time of carnivals and masquerades.
In the Scroll of Esther, revenge is a powerful theme, but just as clearly one that leads to confusion and tragedy.
Medieval megillot were beautifully illuminated. Why? Because God’s name is not mentioned.
Israel’s antisemitism envoy left out of key planning for controversial conference.
We offer the world hope that it can withstand this tidal wave of hatred and escape the abyss of confusion. We have endured. So can you. We will show you the way.
Fulfilling the commandment of circumcision means taking the ordinary body of a human being and transforming it into something holy that has been brought into the covenant/treaty of Hashem’s people.
We should allow the underlying illness to take its course and not deprive a patient of a natural need that will cause him to die sooner.
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