A Brief Introduction to Judaism

Want to learn the basics about Judaism? Welcome to our quick intro to the religion of the Jewish people.

In it, we’ll look at the history of Judaism, beliefs, and some of its important holy days.

• Remember, ‘Judaism’ is the name of the religion.
• It’s followers or adherents are the Jewish people.
• There is a difference between being Jewish and being Israeli.

What Does Judaism Mean in a Business Context?

Understanding Judaism is not just about religion – it also helps you better understand the values, behaviours, and expectations of many Jewish colleagues, clients, and partners.

In a business context, religion can influence working patterns, communication, and decision making in subtle but important ways. For example, awareness of the Sabbath (Shabbat) and key religious holidays can help you plan meetings, deadlines, and travel more effectively.

The strong emphasis on community, ethics, and responsibility within Jewish traditions can also shape approaches to relationships, trust, and professionalism in the workplace.

In global teams or international business settings, this awareness supports better communication, stronger relationships, and more inclusive working environments.

Ultimately, understanding Judaism in a business context is about respect, awareness, and the ability to adapt your approach to work effectively across cultures.

What are the Origins of Judaism?

Jewish history begins with the covenant established between God and Abraham around 1812 BC, during the Bronze Age, in the Middle East. Abraham is a central figure in Judaism, being considered the Patriarch and progenitor of the Jewish people.

Under God’s guidance, the Jews became a powerful nation with kings such as Saul, David, and Solomon, who built the first Temple. Subsequently, this was the site around which Jewish worship was centred. The Temple contained the Ark of the Covenant, and was the exclusive site for certain religious rituals.

Throughout their history, Jewish people experienced times of great expansion and advance in knowledge (both theological and scientific) which were interspersed by periods of persecution and massacres. Many Jews were slaughtered during the Christian Crusades and, along with Muslims, were persecuted and objects of hatred in Europe in the 13th and 15th centuries, and most recently, during the Holocaust. In this period alone, 6 million Jewish people were killed, 1 million of whom were children. War crimes trials of those involved in the Holocaust continue to this day.

In 1947, the United Nations agreed to the recognition of the State of Israel in what was then called Palestine. In 1948, the British military forces withdrew from Palestine after a period of terrorism and violence against them by the Zionists in order to help establish Israel. Since then, there have been several wars between the Arab countries around Israel, which have been marked by several invasions and great loss of lives.

A Jewish man reads the holy book. Photo by Eran Menashri on Unsplash

What are the Beliefs in Judaism?

The Jewish religion is based on the principle that there is only one indivisible, all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present God, who is fair and just and the creator of the universe and mankind.

God’s law, the Torah, as given to Moses on Mount Sinai, reveals His character and His will for his children. It is the Jewish belief that God still acts in the world as it is today, and that He establishes a personal relationship with every one of His followers.

It is the Jewish tradition to keep God’s laws and to bring holiness into every aspect of their lives. It is their belief that the Jews are God’s chosen people, whose responsibility is to set an example of holiness and morality to the rest of the world.

The experience of Judaism is very much a community one; they consider themselves to be an integral part of a global community. Many of the Jewish traditions are based around the family and home activities.

The Star of David hanging in a tree in Waco, USA. Many Jews left Europe after WWII to live in the country. Photo by David Holifield on Unsplash

Can you Become a Jew or Convert to Judaism?

Being a Jew is very much a blood matter. Often, in order to be considered a Jew, a child must be born of a Jewish mother. However, sometimes the children of Jewish fathers are also considered Jews.

There is substantial overlap between the cultural and religious aspects of Jewish identity. Even if a Jew converts to a different religion, they are still considered Jews. Conversely, it is not easy to convert to Judaism if not born into this cultural/religious setting.

An orthodox Jewish couple in Israel. Many Israelis are of foreign extraction, meaning they moved to Israel from places like Russia, Iran, Poland, and the USA. Someone (Jewish) born in Israel is called a Sabra. If you are not Jewish and qualify for citizenship, you would just be called Israeli. Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash

What’s the Jewish View on Jesus Christ?

Perhaps one of the most striking aspects of Jewish theology is the rejection of Christ as the Messiah, in sharp contrast to the Christian belief.

It is generally accepted that Jesus was a Jew himself, most probably a Pharisee (teacher/theologian) of the more liberal wing.

The facts that Jesus was crucified and no peace was established, and that there was a putative openness to discussion in synagogues (making Christ’s somewhat revolutionary concepts unsurprising) are some of the Jewish arguments for their stance on Jesus.

The Jews are therefore still waiting for their Messiah.

Even though Judaism is one of the oldest religions still in place today, throughout time it has been influenced by other religious currents, namely Christianity, Islam, and the Baha’i faith.

Hannukah, the Festival of Lights. Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

What are the Important Jewish Holy Days?

The Jewish calendar is marked by several holidays that reflect both their beliefs and history. The Jewish holidays are summarised below.

• Days of repentance. During the 10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur everyone gets a chance to repent.
• Hanukkah or Chanukah is the Jewish Festival of Lights. It dates back to two centuries before the beginning of Christianity.
• Passover is one of the most important religious festivals in the Jewish calendar, celebrated to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of Egypt by Moses.
• Purim commemorates the time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination by the courage of a young Jewish woman called Esther.
• Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year festival and commemorates the creation of the world.
• Sabbath – Every week, religious Jews observe the Sabbath, the Jewish holy day, and keep its laws and customs.
• Shavuot marks the time that the Jews received the Torah on Mount Sinai. It is considered a highly important historical event.
• Sukkot commemorates the years that the Jews spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land.
• Tisha B’av is a solemn occasion because it commemorates a series of tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people over the years
• Tu B’Shevat is the Jewish ‘New Year for Trees’. It is one of the four Jewish New Year’s (Rosh Hashanahs).
• Yom Hashoah is a day set aside for Jews to remember the Holocaust.
• Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement Yom Kippur, the most sacred and solemn day of the Jewish year, brings the Days of Repentance to a close.

Photo by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash