Judaism originated in the centuries before the Common Era and is the oldest fully developed monotheistic religion. Since antiquity, Jewish life has been characterized by living in the diaspora. This led to the development of many independent traditions in Europe, Africa, the Near East and India.

The Torah passes on the history of the faith and religious instructions, while the rabbinical writings Mishnah and Talmud interpret them. Synagogues around the world are central gathering places, while the most important pilgrimage site is the ‘Wailing Wall’ in Jerusalem. To this day, Judaism is characterized by a great diversity of religious views.

Jewish festivals are deeply rooted in religious tradition: Passover celebrates the exodus from Egypt, Shavuot the revelation of the Torah, Sukkot the protection in the desert, Purim the rescue from persecution and Hanukkah the rededication of the second temple. Work rests on Shabbat and high festivals.

The highest holiday is the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. It is a day of strict fasting on the tenth day after the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Believers gather in the synagogues for prayers and dedicate themselves to repentance and penance in order to communally seek atonement with God.