Judaism

noun

Ju·​da·​ism ˈjü-dē-ˌi-zəm  ˈjü-də-  ˈjü-(ˌ)dā- 

 British also  ˈjü-ˌdi-zəm

1

: a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews and characterized by belief in one transcendent God who has revealed himself to Abraham, Moses, and the Hebrew prophets and by a religious life in accordance with Scriptures and rabbinic traditions

2

: the cultural, social, and religious beliefs and practices of the Jews

3

: conformity to Jewish rites, ceremonies, and practices

4

: the whole body of Jews : the Jewish people

Examples of Judaism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The populist president started his four-day trip in Miami, home to Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi and among the largest populations of Argentines in the U.S., where the Chabad-Lubavitch sect of Hasidic Judaism will honor him at a local synagogue. —Isabel Debre, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024

This camp offers one to three-week sessions where campers will enjoy swimming, arts and crafts, hiking and sleeping under the stars, all while building a connection to nature, community and Judaism. —Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024

In Houston, the Minaret Foundation, an interfaith social justice organization led by Ghani, and the Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism scrapped their annual Muslim-Jewish Christmas potluck. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024

At many synagogues, particularly Orthodox ones, the mikvah is reserved for strictly traditional uses, including conversion to Judaism and symbolic cleansing by women after menstruation. —Jenna Russell Tristan Spinski, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024

Through it all, the rabbis and imam maintain faith in the ties that bound Judaism and Islam together: a common origin in the Middle East through Abraham; a tradition of strict monotheism emphasizing the oneness of God; a reverence for biblical and Quranic shared prophets from Isaac to Moses. —Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

One area will have representatives from Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism who will answer basic questions about the faiths. —Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2024

Within the Haredi community, men devote their lives to studying Judaism in religious seminaries and do not usually work. —NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024

Netanyahu relies on two Ultra-Orthodox parties – Shas and United Torah Judaism – to maintain a governing coalition. —Mick Krever, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Judaism

• anti-Judaism
• Conservative Judaism
• Orthodox Judaism
• Reform Judaism

Kids Definition

Judaism

noun

Ju·​da·​ism ˈjüd-ə-ˌiz-əm  ˈjüd-ē- 

1

: a religion developed among the ancient Hebrews that stresses belief in one God and faithfulness to the laws of the Old Testament

2

: the beliefs and practices of the Jews

Judaic

jü-ˈdā-ik

adjective