Judaism

[joo-dee-iz-uh m, -dey-, -duh-] /ˈdʒu diˌɪz əm, -deɪ-, -də-/
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.
Origin
1485-95; < Late Latin jūdaismus < Greek ioudaismós, equivalent to Ioudaî(os) Jew + -ismos -ism
Related forms
anti-Judaism, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Judaism

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
Derived Forms
Judaistic, adjective
Word Origin and History for Judaism
n.

c.1400 (attested in Anglo-Latin from mid-13c.), from Old French Judaisme and directly from Late Latin Judaismus (Tertullian), from Greek Ioudaismos, from Ioudaios "Jew" (see Jew). The Anglo-Latin reference is from a special tax levied on the Jews of England. Earlier in same sense was Juhede "Jewish faith, Judaism," literally "Jew-hood" (early 14c.).

Judaism in Culture

Judaism definition


The religion of the Israelites of the Bible and of the 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, Purim, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. (See also Sabbath.)

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