Religion in Israel

Overview

Israel is the only country in the world with a majority Jewish population (80%). Although the state proclaims itself as a secular state that provides equal rights to all, Israel was formed with a specific purpose – as a Jewish homeland.  The controversial Law of Return, for instance, was formulated to enable immigrants belonging to the Jewish faith to enter the country.  Even so, at least 15% of the population is Moslem, and 2-3% of the population consists of Druze Christian, Karaities, Samaritans, and other groups. 

Judaism

Jews in Israel comprise one fourth of the Jewish population around the world. About 5% of the population is ultra Orthodox, while 13% of the Jewish population is Orthodox. Then there are the Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist groups.  

Authority over religious issues resides with the Chief Rabbinate.  He is responsible for determining the religious status of all applicants pursuing the Law of Return (Aliyah).  This chief Rabbinate also oversees other religious duties such as marriage, divorce, funerals, and the Sabbath.    

Saturday is the Sabbath, although its status as a “rest day” continues to wane as more citizens opt for more lenient observation practices. Many establishments choose to remain open on the Sabbath, making things extremely convenient for the medical tourism vacationer.  Non-kosher imports are forbidden, but if you have a taste for pork, there are local pig farms run by Russian immigrants.   

Other Religions

At least 14% of the Arabs here are Sunni Muslim, and about 2% of them are Christian.  There are also a few Hindi converts, Druses, and members of the Bahai faith based in Haifa.