In this book, Nicholas de Lange examines the basic elements of Judaism, both as a religion and a way of life. Assuming no prior knowledge, the book opens with an account of the Jewish people and the main lines of its history. The following eight chapters are structured around this historical framework and focus on the different strands that make up the fabric of Judaism. The Torah and tradition, worship, the Bible, law, ethics, mysticism, theology and eschatology are all discussed, with a final chapter exploring the problems facing Judaism today, helping to illustrate that Judaism is a living and important religion.

Chronology; The Jewish Calendar; IntroductionWhat is Judaism?; 1. A People and its Faith; 2. Torah and Tradition; 3. The Tradition of Worship; 4. The Biblical Tradition; 5. The Legal Tradition; 6. The Ethical Tradition; 7. The Mystical Tradition; 8. The Theological Tradition; 9. The Eschatological Tradition; 10. Judaism Today; Further Reading; Index; Index

Nicholas de LangeProfessor of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at the University of Cambridge