Jewish people

The Jewish people are an ethnic group and a nation originating from the Hebrews of the ancient Near East. Jewish identity is a combination of ethnicity, religion, and culture, primarily associated with the religion of Judaism. The Jewish people have a long history, which includes the emergence of the Israelites and the development of the Kingdom of Israel and Kingdom of Judah, and continuing through the Babylonian captivity, the Second Temple period, the Diaspora, and the establishment of the modern state of Israel.

History

The history of the Jewish people begins in the Bronze Age, with the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) who are considered the founders of Judaism. The biblical story describes the Israelites as being enslaved in Ancient Egypt, and their liberation and exodus under the leadership of Moses, who received the Torah at Mount Sinai. This event marks the birth of Judaism as a structured religion.

Following the exodus, the Israelites formed the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah, which were later conquered by the Assyrian Empire and Babylonian Empire respectively. The destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians led to the Babylonian captivity. After the captivity, many Jews returned to Judah, leading to the Second Temple period.

Throughout centuries, Jews have faced various periods of persecution and displacement, culminating in the Holocaust during World War II, where six million Jews were murdered by the Nazi regime. In 1948, the modern state of Israel was established, providing a national homeland for Jews.

Religion and Culture

Judaism, the traditional faith of the Jewish people, is one of the oldest monotheistic religions. Central to Jewish faith are the beliefs in one God, the importance of following the Jewish law (halakha) which is derived from the Torah, and the value of good deeds and ethical conduct. Major Jewish religious texts include the Torah, Talmud, and various other commentaries and writings.

Jewish culture includes various traditions, languages like Yiddish and Hebrew, foods, music, and literature. Jewish communities around the world celebrate religious holidays such as Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah.

Demographics

Today, there are approximately 14 million Jews worldwide, with the largest populations in Israel and the United States. The Jewish diaspora is widespread, with significant communities in countries such as France, Canada, the UK, Russia, and Argentina.

Challenges and Issues

The Jewish people continue to face various challenges including antisemitism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and internal debates over religious and secular identities within Israel. Despite these challenges, the Jewish community remains vibrant and influential in many fields, including science, arts, business, and politics.

See also

• History of the Jews in Europe
• Zionism
• Jewish diaspora
• Anti-Semitism