Jews

Jews
Group	Jews
Native name	יְהוּדִים (Yehudim)
Population	~15.7 million
Popplace	Israel, United States, France, Canada, United Kingdom, Argentina, Russia, Germany, Australia, Brazil
Religions	Judaism
Languages	Traditional: Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, Judeo-Arabic, Contemporary: Local vernaculars, notably English, Hebrew, Russian, French

Jews are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites and Hebrews of historical Israel and Judah. Jewish identity, ethnogenesis, and history span more than three millennia, rooted in the Levant and later shaped by a global diaspora. The foundational texts of Judaism, including the Torah and Talmud, form the basis of their religious, cultural, and legal traditions, while modern Jewish life is characterized by diverse expressions across secularism, Zionism, and various religious movements.

Etymology and terminology

The English term "Jew" originates from the Hebrew Yehudi, referring to a member of the Tribe of Judah or a native of the ancient Kingdom of Judah. Following the Babylonian captivity, Yehudi came to denote all adherents of Judaism, regardless of tribal origin. In other languages, related terms include the German Jude, the Yiddish Yid, and the Arabic Yahūdī. The term "Israelite" generally describes the ancient population before the establishment of the monarchies, while "Hebrews" often refers to the earliest ancestral period. In modern contexts, "Jewish people" is a common collective designation, and the State of Israel defines citizenship through the Law of Return.

History

Ancient Jewish history is documented in the Hebrew Bible, recounting origins with figures like Abraham, the Exodus from Egypt led by Moses, and the establishment of the United Monarchy under King David and Solomon. The Babylonian exile (586 BCE) was a pivotal event, followed by periods under the Achaemenid Empire, Hellenistic rule, and the Roman Empire, which culminated in the destruction of the Second Temple and the Jewish–Roman wars. The subsequent diaspora saw major communities flourish in Babylonia and Alexandria, contributing to works like the Jerusalem Talmud and Babylonian Talmud. The Middle Ages featured the Golden Age in Spain under Muslim rule, alongside persecution during the Crusades and expulsions from England, France, and Spain. The Haskalah (Jewish Enlightenment) in 18th-century Europe preceded modern movements like Zionism, founded by Theodor Herzl, and the catastrophic Holocaust during World War II. The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and subsequent conflicts like the Six-Day War and Yom Kippur War define contemporary history.

Demographics

The global Jewish population is estimated at approximately 15.7 million, with the largest communities in Israel and the United States. Significant populations reside in France, Canada, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Russia, Germany, Australia, and Brazil. Israel is the world's only Jewish-majority country, home to about 7 million Jews, including those from the Aliyah migrations. Major American centers include New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami. Demographic trends involve low birth rates in the diaspora, high rates in Haredi communities, and ongoing migration to Israel. Notable sub-groups include Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern Europe, Sephardi Jews from the Iberian Peninsula, Mizrahi Jews from the Middle East and North Africa, and communities like the Beta Israel of Ethiopia.

Culture

Jewish culture encompasses a vast array of contributions to philosophy, literature, music, cinema, and science. Philosophical traditions range from Maimonides and Baruch Spinoza to modern thinkers like Martin Buber and Hannah Arendt. Literature includes works by Franz Kafka, Isaac Bashevis Singer, and Saul Bellow, while music spans from klezmer to compositions by Gustav Mahler and Leonard Bernstein. Cinema has been shaped by directors like Steven Spielberg and the Coen brothers. Jewish cuisine features dishes such as bagels, matzo ball soup, and falafel. Annual holidays like Passover, Hanukkah, and Purim involve specific rituals, foods, and communal gatherings. The concept of Tikkun olam (repairing the world) underscores a strong tradition of social justice and philanthropy.

Religion

Judaism is the monotheistic religion of the Jewish people, based on the covenant between God and the Israelites as revealed in the Torah. Core practices observe Halakha (Jewish law), including Shabbat, kashrut (dietary laws), and life-cycle events like brit milah. Major branches are Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism, and Reconstructionist Judaism. Orthodox Judaism includes Haredi and Modern Orthodox movements, while Reform Judaism emphasizes progressive interpretation. Sacred texts include the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), Mishnah, Talmud, and later commentaries by figures like Rashi and Moses Maimonides. Key sites of religious significance are the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the historical Temple in Jerusalem.

Languages

Hebrew is the liturgical and national language of Judaism, revived as a modern vernacular by Eliezer Ben-Yehuda and now the official language of Israel. Yiddish, a Germanic language with Hebrew and Slavic elements written in the Hebrew alphabet, was the lingua franca of Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe. Ladino (Judeo-Spanish), developed by Sephardi Jews expelled from Spain, incorporates Spanish, Hebrew, and other influences. Other historical Jewish languages include Judeo-Arabic, Judeo-Persian, and Yevanic (Judeo-Greek). In the diaspora, Jews have adopted local languages such as English, Russian, and French, while often maintaining specific linguistic features or registers.

Category:Jews Category:Ethnic groups in the Middle East Category:Jewish ethnic groups