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.

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.)

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.

Other Word Forms

• Judaistic adjective
• anti-Judaism noun
• pro-Judaism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Judaism¹

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

Example Sentences

I can’t eat pork or shellfish, so whatever falls within the electric fence, my lapsing Judaism.

From Los Angeles Times

Two young women, Ateret and Tamar, sad about the religious commemoration but seemingly excited by the future, explained why they believed the Temple Mount was the heart of Judaism.

From BBC

On Jewish identity, it said Judaism "should always be seen and understood... as an ethnicity as well as a religion", which the commission said would ensure antisemitism is dealt with appropriately.

From BBC

Since the US involvement in Iran, police patrols have been increased in communities nationwide at certain sensitive sites, including buildings with connections to the US or Israeli governments, or to Judaism.

From BBC

This meant that I didn’t have a lot of time to convert to Judaism before the wedding.

From Los Angeles Times