Judaism is one of the world’s first monotheistic religions: our introduction to the belief of a single omniscient God. Prior to Christianity and Islam, Judaism was founded by a man named Abraham who ignited the power of the Jewish Monarchy in the Ancient Land of Israel. Following the reign of King Soloman, the land split into two—Judea and Israel—and eventually collapsed. After centuries of failed external conquests and invasions, the Romans were able to successfully conquer the land and named it Syria-Palaestina in 135 CE. This was the beginning of Rabbinic Judaism which was rooted in studying and practicing the religion through the Torah. The foundational text of Rabbinic Judaism, Mishnah, was compiled by Rabbi Judah in Syria-Palaestina in 200 CE with the completion of the Talmud following suite 300 years later. As Judaism spread around the world, the establishment of orthodox, reform, and conservative movements began to spread, creating a plethora of global Jewish communities all with slightly varying beliefs, customs, and traditions. Much like Hinduism, Judaism as we know it today is composed of both ethnic Jews and religious Jews, making it one of the world’s most prominent ethnoreligions.
Though most people are only familiar with Hanukkah, there are many different holidays and festivals commemorated in the Jewish calendar including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover. Rosh Hashanah is known as the Jewish New Year and takes place during the first and second days of Tishrei (September–October on the Gregorian calendar) featuring a dinner with dishes like Kugel — a baked casserole typically made with noodles or potatoes.
Yom Kippur takes place ten days later and is known as the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, dedicated to fasting, prayer, and repentance. The holiday is centered around seeking forgiveness for their sins and is usually spent in a synagogue refraining from food, drink, and even work. The day ends with the sounding of a ram’s horn or the shofar, signaling a renewed spiritual year. Hanukkah occurs on the 25th day of Kislev (November–December on the Gregorian calendar) and is a week-long celebration featuring Jewish dishes like latkes, savoury potato pancakes, and sufganiyot, jelly-doughnuts. Like most Jewish holidays, it is based around history and is meant to commemorate the miracle of oil through a sort of festival of Lights; lighting one candle on each night symbolizes their resilience and rich history.
Similarly, Passover, which occurs on the 15th day of Nisan (March–April on the Gregorian calendar), commemorates the Israelites freedom from slavery in Egypt: the Exodus. The holiday lasts around one week and involves a ceremonial meal called Seder where the Haggadah, which tells the story of the Exodus, is read. The meal features dishes such as matzah which is a form of unleavened bread, however observant Jews will refrain from eating it during Passover to remember the haste with which Israelites fled Egypt. Though there are lots of holidays recognized by Judaism, many have an underlying theme of perseverance and commemorating the freedom of their ancestors.
Beyond the menorah and the Star of David, Jewish art is encompassed mainly through varying forms of literature; scrolls, manuscripts, contracts and books. Though much of their history is traditionally expressed orally, the Torah scrolls depict the history of Judaism decorated with ornate covers and crowns. Other decorated forms of literature found in Jewish culture aside from the Torah Scrolls, include a Ketubah which is a marriage contract, a Mezuzah which is a parchment scroll inscribed with Hebrew prayers, and Haggadah Illuminations which are illustrated manuscripts depicting scenes of the Exodus. Beyond the literature, art in the form of dance is commonly performed at Jewish weddings and celebrations including lively dances like the Hora or Klezmer characterized by synchronized steps and expressive, fast-paced movements. Hasidic dances on the other hand are often exclusively performed by Hasidic Jews and involve a circular structure with joyful and spontaneous movements. Lastly, the Candle Lighting Dance is performed by women before the Shabbat candle lighting, signifying the welcoming of the Sabbath and involves slow-paced, graceful movements.
The Jewish calendar is full of historical holidays carrying powerful themes of perseverance, freedom, and remembrance. Judaism itself features various forms of art including literature, dance, and food. Whether through the lighting of candles, the shared meals, or the joyful dances that accompany these moments, Jewish celebrations around the world emphasize the importance of justice, compassion, community, and the sanctity of life.
