What are the geographical origins of Judaism?

Answer 1

The earliest geographic origin of Judaism appears to have been Mesopotamia, a region which is now in the nation of Iraq.

Actually Mesopotamia was polytheistic, and if they were monotheistic it would not be Judaism. Abraham is the founder of Judaism, and it originates from what is now Israel or Palestine from about 4000 years ago.

Answer 2

Judaism was founded by Abraham in the Fertile Crescent.
Abraham (18th century BCE) was born in Ur (Mesopotamia; now Iraq), where he first repudiated idolatry. He then sojourned in Harran (Syria) for several years, and then lived most of his life in Canaan (Israel).
It was in Canaan that Abraham lived most of his life, made a covenant with God (Genesis ch.15), and raised a family to be the center of carrying on his traditions (Genesis 18:19).

Abraham's family carried on his teachings voluntarily. Judaism as a binding, permanent entity, was set forth between God and the Israelite nation descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at Mount Sinai in the time of Moses (Exodus ch.19, ch.24, and 34:27).All of the above places are in the ancient Fertile Crescent.

See also:Where did the Jews come from?
How Judaism was founded

Archaeology and the Hebrew Bible

Answer 3

The general religious answer is that Judaism originated in Israel, but there are three acceptable religious answers (Israel, Harran, and Sinai). In addition there is also the historical answer (Slow Development in Israel and Babylon). There are several answers in each category reflecting the different viewpoints of the the contributors.

A. Religious: Israel

Tradition holds that Judaism was founded by Abraham in the land of Israel, about 3800 years ago. It was there that Abraham made a covenant with God (Genesis ch.15) and raised his family and taught disciples to carry on his beliefs and traditions (see Genesis 18:19). Archaeological evidence of Jews (Hebrews) in the land of Israel dates back 3600 years.

B. Religious: Harran (North Syria/South Turkey) -- The Road Between Babylonia and Israel

Judaism, theoretically, could also have developed in Harran, since it was there that the young Abraham (after being born in Ur) lived for several decades before coming to Canaan, and taught others about the One God.

C. Religious: Sinai (Northeast Egypt)

The Jewish people officially became a nation at Mt. Sinai when G-d revealed Himself to 2 million people and gave them the Torah (Exodus ch.19). This differs from other religions in the fact that the revelation involved the whole nation and not just one individual. Muslims typically argue that Judaism comes about as God's revelations of the Law to Moses and, therefore, Judaism comes from this event.

D. Historical: Israel and Babylonia (Central Iraq)

According to most Historians, during the period of the Kings of Israel the Jews worshiped in the Levantine Pantheon, venerating fewer and fewer of those gods. However, the typical monotheistic views of Judaism did not crystallize until the Jewish Exile in Babylon. It was at this point, that the Torah was completed as explained by the JEPD hypothesis.

Answer 4

Abraham was from Mesopotamia (Genesis ch.11 and 15); but he came to the Holy Land at God's command (Genesis ch.12), which is where he carried out his life's work.

Answer 5

Ur Kasdim

Answer 6

Israel