Understanding Judaism, its roots, its beliefs, and its traditions is crucial to understanding its people and its leaders. From the teachings of the Torah to the meaning of the holidays, this work offers an introduction to Judaism. It offers an account of Judaic history from the time of the Pharoahs through painful events like the Holocaust and triumphant ones like the creation of modern-day Israel. Covers topics such as: A history, from ancient times to current events; The major denominations of Judaism and how modern times have changed them; Threats to the religion; Israel and anti-Zionism; anti-Semitism; and New concerns for the 21st century, and much more.