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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Judaism¹

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

Example Sentences

But if Roth’s interest in Judaism was intermittent, his engagement with Jewishness—as temperament and as argument—was lifelong.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The other ultra-Orthodox party, United Torah Judaism, has already quit both the government and the coalition.

Read more on Barron's

The coalition's other ultra-Orthodox party, United Torah Judaism, quit both the government and the coalition.

Read more on Barron's

Along the way, I discovered and began to practice the day-by-day rituals of Judaism, which helped me understand the larger fabric that clothes all religions: faith.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Not long ago, Chan converted to Judaism, the faith practiced by her husband and three daughters, who are 9, 8 and 2.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal