The Jewish religion originated with Abraham and his wife Sarah and son Isaac. Their descendant Jacob, also known as Israel, had 12 sons who were the 12 tribes of Israel. Moses was also a descendant of Abraham and led the Jewish slaves out of Egypt, where he received the Ten Commandments from God. The core beliefs and holy writings of Judaism center around the Torah, which contains the Five Books of Moses. The Torah scroll is handwritten on parchment and dressed as if it is a queen, living in the Holy Ark. Important rites of passage include becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at age 13 by reading from the Torah, marriage, death and funerals. Celebrations and holidays