Jewish culture

The history of the Jews in Germany is that of a minority which has experienced greatly varying fortunes over time. Jews have been living in the lands that now make up Germany for almost 2,000 years. During this time, they have experienced both tolerance and anti-semitic violence, the latter reaching its nadir during the Holocaust. However, not all traces of Jewish culture from down the centuries were erased or destroyed during the Third Reich. Around the world, there are around 14 million people who pray in synagogues, whose God is called Yahweh and for whom Saturday, the Sabbath, is a day of rest. Judaism is one of the main world religions and originated more than 4,000 years ago. Its holy scripture, from which passages are read in Jewish services, is called the Torah. This book also contains laws that govern everyday Jewish life. It explains why, for example, Jews only eat food prepared in a certain style, known as kosher. This rule and many others like it are meant to enable Jews to lead a life of ritual purity. The Star of David is the international symbol of Judaism.