Judaism began among the ancient Israelites, in the Middle East. Jewish tradition traces the roots of the religion back to Abraham, who lived between 1,800 and 1,500 B.C. His grandson Jacob, who was also called Israel, had 12 sons. They founded the twelve tribes that became Israelites. Jewish tradition says that the great lawgiver Moses received from God, the first five books of the Bible, which are called The PENTATEUCH or the TORAH. These books also known as the Mosaic Law, have been the basis of the Jewish religion.

Judaism was the first religion to teach the belief in one God. It is believed that Jews became Monotheistic during the time of Moses. During Biblical times, first Assyrians, then the Babylonians finally the Romans conquered the Israelites. Many Jews were driven into exile over the centuries. The Jewish people settled in various parts of the Middle East and in European countries. Everywhere they were in a religious minority and they were often persecuted for their faith. In about 1,800 A.D. Jews divided into three general groups - Orthodox, Conservative and Reformed. The orthodox Jews observed rituals in a traditional way.