Judaism Basics
All About Judaism
Ten of the most common questions asked about Judaism. From questions about Jewish beliefs to our most sacred text, this article is a great place to begin learning about Judaism.
Jewish Bedtime Rituals for Children
Add a Jewish element to your child's bedtime routine with these books, songs and simple bedtime ritual ideas.
What Is the Torah?
The Torah is Judaism's most important text. It contains the Five Books of Moses and is the source of the Ten Commandments and the 613 mitzvot.
What to Wear to Synagogue
When attending synagogue services or a Jewish life-cycle event for the first time people often wonder: What should I wear? Find answers to this commonly asked question in this article.
Resurrection
Resurrection was an important part of Rabbinic Jewish belief. The ancient rabbis believed the dead would be brought back to life at the end of days.
What Is Gehenna?
According to Jewish tradition Gehenna is an afterlife realm where the souls of the unrighteous are punished.
What is Gehenna Like?
Rabbinic texts describe Gehenna as a place of fire, brimstone and darkness. Learn more about this realm of postmortem punishment.
What is Gan Eden?
"Gan Eden" means the "Garden of Eden" in Hebrew. In addition to being the garden in which Adam and Eve were created, it is the name used to refer to one of several Jewish versions of the afterlife.
What Is Olam Ha Ba?
Though Judaism does not have definitive conception of the afterlife, Olam Ha Ba is one rabbinic response to the question of what happens after we die.
The Afterlife in Judaism
What happens after we die? All of us ask that question at one point or another. Though Judaism does not have a definitive answer, over the centuries a few possible responses have emerged.
What Is a Kippah?
After the Star of David, a kippah is one of the most recognizable symbols of Jewish identity.
Blessing the Children on Shabbat
In many Jewish homes a special blessing is said over the children on Friday evening as Shabbat begins. Learn how to say these blessings and why they are said.
Judaism 101
What do Jews believe? What are the different movements in Judaism? What are some of the daily practices, like kashrut, that shape Jewish life? This section has information about all the basics of Jewish living.
What Is "Jewish"?
Is Judaism a race, a religion or a nationality?
What Do Jews Believe?
When learning about a religion one of the first questions people ask is: What do members of that religion believe? This article talks about what Jews, in general, believe.
Do Jews Believe in Satan?
Satan is a character that appears in the belief systems of many religions, including Christianity and Islam. In Judaism “satan” is not a sentient being but a metaphor for the evil inclination – the yetzer hara – that exists in every person and tempts us to do wrong.
What is Teshuvah?
Teshuvah is a key Jewish concept that involves repentance and new beginnings.
What Is a Chai?
What does the Jewish symbol "Chai" mean?
What Is a Chai?
What does the Jewish symbol "Chai" mean?
What Is a Hamsa?
A hamsa is an amulet shaped like a hand, with three extended fingers in the middle and a curved thumb or pinky finger on either side. It is thought to protect against the “evil eye” and is a popular motif in both Jewish and Middle Eastern jewelry.
Does the Star of David Have Religious Significance in Judaism?
Learn more about the origin and meaning of the Star of David.
How to Be a Mensch
How to Be a Mensch
What are Judaism's Basic Beliefs?
What do Jews believe? Read this article to discover more about the basic beliefs of Judaism.
What Does It Mean to Be the Chosen People?
A look at different interpretations of what it means for Jews to be the Chosen People.
What Are the Different Branches of Judaism?
Jewish movements, often referred to as denominations, branches or sects of Judaism, differ from each other in some beliefs and in the way they observe Judaism. Learn more about the four branches of Judaism: Reconstructionist, Reform, Conservative and Orthodox.
What Is the Torah?
Torah, which means "teaching", is God's revealed instructions to the Jewish People. It teaches Jews how to act, think and even feel about life and death.
What Is the Mishnah?
The Mishnah is the first written recording of the Oral Torah of the Jewish people.
How to Light Yahrzeit (Memorial) Candles
A Yahrzeit (Yiddish for "a year’s time") is the anniversary of the death of a loved one. Learn more about Yahrzeit candles, when to light them and how to use them.
Who Was Jesus?
Learn more about the Jewish view of Jesus.
Why Do Some Jews Spell "God" G-d?
An explanation of why some Jews write G-d instead of writing out the word "God."
The Five Books of Moses
The Five Books of Moses are the biblical books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Do Jews Believe in Sin?
The Hebrew word for "sin" is "chet," which literally means "missing the mark." Jews believe that every person is responsible for their own actions and that a "sin" occurs when someone does something wrong.
The Jewish Synagogue
Learn about common aspects of the Jewish synagogue, from the bimah where the rabbi and cantor conduct services, to the aron kodesh where the torah scrolls reside.
What Is a Rabbi?
The rabbi is the spiritual leader of a Jewish community. He or she is responsible for leading services, conducting life cycle events and serving as a counselor and role model.