Key Jewish Facts

What do Jews believe in? The Rambam—a great Jewish rabbi and philosopher—summarized the Jewish faith in 13 principles.

The Torah puts great stress on character development — on becoming better people.

The Jewish Alphabet, the Jewish calendar, the books of the Jewish cannon—here’s your place to get the fundamental facts of Judaism.

The Torah is comprised of two parts, the Written Law and the Oral Tradition. Learn the basics of the Oral Tradition here.

Discover how Jews pray, when Jews pray, and the meaning of Jewish prayers.

The Fourth of the Ten Commandments is: “Remember the Shabbat day to keep it holy ... for G‑d created the world in six days and rested on the seventh” [Exodus 20:8].

The word Pesach means “Passover” recalling the “passing over” of G‑d over the Jewish houses during the tenth plague of the slaying of the firstborn.

The Torah commands us only to eat animals which have split hoofs and chew their cud.

The most sacred items in Judaism are written in Hebrew by a scribe upon hand-processed parchment.

Birth, coming of age, marriage, death … Judaism has celebrations and rituals associated with every major juncture in life.

Before a Jew eats or performs a mitzvah, he or she recites a special blessing recognizing G-d, the creator of all.

Jewish people are grouped into tribal clans, each one providing another element toward the nation’s spiritual perfection.

The Jewish people have come a long way since G-d called Abraham to follow Him to the promised land.

The Holy Land of Israel is the beating heart of the Jewish consciousness and the center of Jewish activity.

Learn the inner rhythm of these 12 passages and the deep messages they teach us.