Amazon.com description: Product Description: An accurate, enjoyable introduction to the Jewish faith, people, and practices in a global context Judaism, one of the world's great religions, was the first monotheistic faith. This belief in one God, along with basic tenets, laws, and practices written in the Hebrew Bible, laid the foundations of other religions. Therefore, familiarity with Judaism is crucial to understanding Christianity and Islam as well. Judaism is also more than a faith; it encompasses national, ethnic, and cultural elements that define Jewish life. This book provides a content-rich yet thoroughly readable and enjoyable overview of the richness of Judaism in one volume. This volume carefully presents the diversity and wide variety of beliefs of Jews. It also addresses the absence of faith in some Jews and the secular aspects of Jewishness. The role of Israel past and present underlies the text as well, and this knowledge of the Jewish ties to Israel will help illuminate the ongoing conflict there with the Palestinians and neighbouring Arab states. First In The Student's Guide to World Religions series - one of the major world religions. Uses up-to-date information to perfectly encapsulate Judaism and Jewishness for students in one volume