This is a short but comprehensive account of Judaism, presented against a background of the 4,000 years of Jewish history extending from the westward migration of Abraham, the progenitor of the Jewish people, to the establishment of the modern State of Israel. The book traces the rise, growth, and development of the beliefs, teachings, and practices of Judaism, as well as of its hopes, aspirations, and ideals. It also discusses the spiritual movements and influences which have helped to shape the Jewish religion in its varied manifestations; and describes the contributions made in turn by a succession of prophets, legislators, priests, psalmists, sages, rabbis, philosophers, and mystics, by which Judaism has come to be the living religious force it is today. In the treatment of its themes the book strives to maintain a balance between the factual and the interpretative, and aims throughout at clarity and simplicity in presentation and exposition.