Discover .... Judaism (יהודה) is a monotheistic religion of Jews characterized by the fact that is does represents not only religious and customary, but also an ethical, legal and historical feature of the Jewish people. The word Jew (a Jew, a Hebrew) and Judaism originated from the verb AVOR (the ancient Aramaic-Hebrew language), which means - to cross. It was the name of all the Semitic tribes which, at the beginning of II millennium BC, began to cross the river Euphrates, moving from Mesopotamia towards the Mediterranean. The ancient Greeks called these tribes Hebraia and Romans called them Hebraei (Hebrews, Jews).One day a non-Jew approached to the rabbi Hillel, who lived in the 1st century BC, and asked him to explain the essence of Judaism. Hillel replied: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor," and continued, "This is the essence. The rest are comments. Go ahead and learn." (Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shabbat, 31a).In the narrow sense of the word Judaism is the religion of Jews.In the wider sense Judaism is entire Jewish tradition and culture.Judaism is not monolithic but very diverse: various forms of Judaism exist parallel to each other and are often in conflict. In the modern period, there are many routes within Judaism - religious, political, and cultural.Until 200 years ago, the Jewish religion is realized in a unique manner and included all aspects of life of Jews. Today, one part of Jews who are called Orthodox Jews, continue to respect all the laws and traditions of Judaism, while other parts of Jews don't. These are Conservatives and Reformists. Conservatives believe that the Jewish laws and traditions are changing from the ancient times to the present. The Reform, Liberal or Progressive Jewish movement consider that an individual can choose which laws to abide and what tradition to cherish.There is also a secular, humanistic version of Judaism that studies and cares for the Jewish tradition and history, not adhering to the religious law in practical life. Jews who see their affiliation to Judaism in this way, are emotionally tied to the Jewish heritage that gives them identity. Here Is A Preview Of What You'll Learn... Who is Considered a Jew?li> First Period: Biblical Judaism Second Period: the Exile to Babylon Third Period: Middle Ages Contemporary Judaism The Holy Bible Jewish Mysticism Jewish Holiday Calendar The Synagogue and Jewish Prayer The Zionist Movement Judaism in the Modern Period (late 18th - 21th century) Download your copy today!© 2016 All Rights Reserved !Tags: judaism, judaism for dummies, history of judaism, religion, israel, kabbalah