Ultra-Orthodox Jews, recognizable by their anachronistic black attire, are the strictest followers of the halakha. Other Jews consider themselves to be affiliated with one of four major movements: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Recon-structionist. These groups emerged over the past 200 years as different approaches towards adapting the halakha to the modern world. While the movements disagree over the interpretation of legal matters such as kashrut regulations and Shabbat prohibitions, similarities outweigh differences. With few exceptions, each movement retains a firm commitment to the same ethical values, manifests the same distinct identity, and associates itself with other Jews around the world. The majority of Jews in Israel, however, are secular, and do not associate with any of the above.

Judaism, by Michael Fishbane, provides an excellent, concise introduction to the religion. Other good sources include Bernard Bamberger’s The Story! of Judaism, Isadore Epstein’s Judaism, and Milton Steinberg’s Basic Judaism.