Judaism

[ joo-dee-iz-uhm, -dey-, -duh- ]

noun

1. the monotheistic religion of the Jews, having its ethical, ceremonial, and legal foundation in the precepts of the Old Testament and in the teachings and commentaries of the rabbis as found chiefly in the Talmud. Compare Conservative Jew, Orthodox Jew, Reform Jew.
2. belief in and conformity to this religion, its practices, and ceremonies.
3. this religion considered as forming the basis of the cultural and social identity of the Jews:

   He called assimilation a threat to American Judaism.

4. Jews collectively; Jewry.

Judaism

/ ˈdʒuːdeɪˌɪzəm /

noun

1. the religion of the Jews, based on the Old Testament and the Talmud and having as its central point a belief in the one God as transcendent creator of all things and the source of all righteousness
2. the religious and cultural traditions, customs, attitudes, and way of life of the Jews

Judaism

1. The religion of the Israelites of the Bible (see also Bible ) and of the Jews (see also Jews ) of today, based on the teachings of the Torah . Judaism involves the belief in one God, whose Chosen People are the Jews. Abraham is considered the founder of Judaism, although Moses , who delivered the laws of God to the Israelites, is also an important figure. The holy days and festivals of Judaism include Hanukkah , Passover (see also Passover ), Purim , Rosh Hashanah , and Yom Kippur . ( See also Sabbath .)

Notes

A symbol (see also symbol ) of Judaism, the Star of David is a six-pointed star, formed by placing two triangles together, one upon the other, or interlaced.

Derived Forms

• ˌJudaˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• an·ti-Ju·da·ism noun
• pro-Ju·da·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Judaism¹

1485–95; < Late Latin jūdaismus < Greek ioudaismós, equivalent to Ioudaî ( os ) Jew + -ismos -ism

Example Sentences

Hasidic Judaism has a reputation for subverting and abusing women—and women have come forward with testimony to prove it.

From The Daily Beast

But Dalia and Perl view Hasidic Judaism with an open-mindedness that is jarring to outsiders—and likely their peers.

From The Daily Beast

Perl loved all kinds of music, including rock and roll, growing up in the Chabad community, a sect of Hasidic Judaism.

From The Daily Beast

I choose Judaism to the extent I feel it is a force for good and justice in the world.

From The Daily Beast

Having those people explain Islam is like having Mel Gibson explain Judaism.

From The Daily Beast

Nevertheless, certain of Weishaupt's doctrines are not incompatible with the principles of orthodox Judaism.

From Project Gutenberg

Conservative Judaism loyal to the United States and its institutions as conceived by its founders is unorganized and inarticulate.

From Project Gutenberg

In later Judaism the dance certainly survived in the religious festivities of the feast of Tabernacles.

From Project Gutenberg

His opponents were regarded as obscurantists, who, rather than the object of their attack, were endangering Judaism.

From Project Gutenberg

Leaving matters of theology aside, are not these the principles which make Judaism a living religion to-day for so many?

From Project Gutenberg