Codex of FaithsAn illustrated atlas of belief

Judaism and Christianity compared

Judaism and Christianity side by side: where each began, what they teach, their scriptures, holy days and symbols, and the beliefs and practices they share.

Judaism took shape in ancient Israel, in the southern Levant (from about 1000 BCE); Christianity in Galilee and Jerusalem, in Roman Judea (1st century CE). Of the 24 broad features compared here, they share 6: one God, judgement after death, a written scripture, pilgrimage, fasting and a weekly holy day. Only Judaism: rules about food, no images of God and prayer at set times. Only Christianity: a founder or prophet, monks and nuns, priests and images in worship.

JudaismChristianityBOTH Rules about foodPrayer at set timesNo images of GodFastingPilgrimageA written scriptureJudgement after deathA weekly holy dayOne GodPriestsImages in worshipA founder or prophetMonks and nuns
Broad features only: every tradition holds great variety, and not every follower shares every feature.

Judaism only

  • Rules about food
  • No images of God
  • Prayer at set times

Both

  • One God
  • Judgement after death
  • A written scripture
  • Pilgrimage
  • Fasting
  • A weekly holy day

Christianity only

  • A founder or prophet
  • Monks and nuns
  • Priests
  • Images in worship

Side by side

Judaism Christianity
Where it beganAncient Israel, in the southern LevantGalilee and Jerusalem, in Roman Judea
WhenFrom about 1000 BCE1st century CE
Founders and key figuresTradition names Abraham as the first patriarch and Moses as the lawgiverJesus of Nazareth, whom Christians call the Christ (“the anointed one”)
Followers todaynearly 15 million (about 0.2% of the world, 2020)2.3 billion (about 29% of the world, 2020)
At the heart of itThree pillars: God, one and unique, Torah, the teaching, Israel, the peopleThe creed: One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, God made man, Crucified, died and rose again, The life of the world to come
ScripturesThe Torah; The Tanakh; The Mishnah; The TalmudThe Old Testament; The New Testament; The creeds
Main branchesSecond Temple JudaismChurch of the East, Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic
Holy daysPurim, Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, SukkotEpiphany, Ash Wednesday, Easter, Pentecost, All Saints, Christmas
SymbolsStar of David, Menorah, Torah scroll, ChaiCross, Ichthys, Chi-Rho, Dove

Read the full pages: Judaism · Christianity

More comparisons

Compare any two traditions