Countries where Judaism is practiced?

Answer 1

As of mid-2010, self-identified adherents to Judaism were counted in 137 countries.

Israel is the only country where more than 50% of its citizens are Jews. Slightly

more than half of the world's Jews live in Israel, and the remaining slightly-less-

than-50% are still dispersed among more than 130 other countries.

Some of the largest Jewish communities outside of Israel are found in Canada,

Australia, England, Argentina, and the US.

All together, in sum total, Jews amount to about 0.2% (two tenths of one percent)

of world population, i.e., 2 Jews for each 1,000 human population. (Local density is

somewhat greater in our house.)

Answer 2

Answer 1

Judaism was quite widespread among the inhabitants of ancient Israel, beginning a few decades after the Exodus from Egypt, and continuing until the conquests and exiles, during each of which it dwindled somewhat but never completely disappeared from Israel. At the same time, however, it was carried with the exiles to wherever they were dispersed, until in the late 20th Century, self-identified Jews were found in roughly 140 countries in the modern world.

Just recently, in the first few years of the 21st Century, Israel has surpassed the mark of being home to just over 50% of the world's Jewish population. The remaining 50% are still to be found in over 130 countries, with probably the largest Jewish communities outside of Israel found in Canada, the US, Argentina, Australia, South Africa, and France.

Since the question speaks in terms of "countries" practicing Judaism, it must be noted that Israel has no officially designated state religion, and no religious test or qualifications for citizenship, land or home ownership, business ownership, elected office, school admission, or government service. Of all peoples, the population of Israel recognize religious discrimination when they smell it; the country has in place, and enforces, a considerable body of laws prohibiting it.

Answer 2

There were a few countries throughout history that promoted Judaism or its fore-bearers as the official state religion. Those are: Tribal Israel, the United Kingdom of Israel, the Northern Kingdom of Israel (at some points), the Southern Kingdom of Judah (at some points), and Khazaria (whose leadership converted to Judaism). As the above answer notes, there is no country in the modern world that promotes Judaism as an official state religion.