The Origins of Judaism

Judaism is one of the oldest religions that people still follow today. It began nearly 4,000 years ago in the Middle East. Jewish people believe in one God, which was a new idea at the time. Their stories and laws are written in the Torah, a holy book. Judaism has shaped many parts of our world, and two other major religions, Christianity and Islam, have roots in Jewish teachings.

Abraham and Moses

Jewish tradition says that a man named Abraham made a special agreement with God. God promised to look after Abraham's family if they followed his laws. Abraham is considered the father of the Jewish people. Many years later, a leader named Moses led the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt. According to the Bible, God gave Moses ten important laws called the Ten Commandments on a mountain.

Jewish Life and Traditions

Jewish people worship in a building called a synagogue. Their holy day of rest is called Shabbat, which happens every week from Friday evening to Saturday evening. They celebrate holidays like Passover, which remembers the escape from Egypt, and Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. The Torah is the most important text in Judaism and is treated with great respect.

Fun Facts

• The Torah is written by hand on a special scroll, and it can take over a year to write one.
• Hebrew, the language of the Torah, is one of the oldest languages still spoken today.
• The Star of David, a six-pointed star, is a well-known symbol of Judaism.

Did You Know?

The Western Wall in Jerusalem is one of the holiest places in Judaism. People from around the world visit it to pray and place written prayers in the cracks between the stones.