Judaism
Meaning
The monotheistic religion of the Jewish people, based on the Torah as its foundational text.
The cultural, social, and religious tradition and civilization of the Jewish people.
Structure
Usage
Judaism is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions.
The study of Jewish law is central to Orthodox Judaism.
Her research focuses on the history of Judaism in medieval Europe.
Etymology
The word 'Judaism' directly names the religious and cultural system associated with the tribe of Judah. The root 'Juda' originates from the Hebrew 'Yehudah', a patriarch and later a kingdom, whose name is often interpreted as "praised." This ethnonym passed through Greek and Latin before entering English. The suffix '-ism', of Greek origin, was systematically appended in European languages to form abstract nouns denoting systems of belief or practice, such as Buddhism or Hinduism. Thus, 'Judaism' linguistically constructs the identity of a people ('Juda') into the formal concept of their comprehensive worldview and tradition ('-ism').
Analysis
- Juda: From Latin Iūdaeus (Jew, Judean), from Greek Ioudaios, from Hebrew Yehudi (member of the tribe of Judah). Functions as the core noun root identifying the people. - ism: From Greek -ismos, a suffix forming nouns of action, state, condition, or doctrine. Functions as a noun-forming suffix denoting a distinctive system, practice, or ideology.