Section IV: The Beginnings of Section IV: The Beginnings of JudaismJudaism

(Pages 42-45)(Pages 42-45)

This section is about:This section is about:How the geography of How the geography of Canaan influenced the Canaan influenced the ancient civilization of the ancient civilization of the Hebrews.Hebrews.How Judaism was How Judaism was founded, and how it alter founded, and how it alter became a major world became a major world religion.religion.

Another group who lived Another group who lived in the area of the Fertile in the area of the Fertile Crescent were the Crescent were the Hebrews.Hebrews.

But, they were a little But, they were a little different than the other different than the other groups wegroups we’’ve seen so far.ve seen so far.

We know a lot about We know a lot about them, because they them, because they recorded events important recorded events important to them in their Hebrew to them in their Hebrew Bible (Many groups only Bible (Many groups only use an use an oral historyoral history))

How do you know about How do you know about you and your family’s you and your family’s past? past?

Ask your teacher about Ask your teacher about the 20 foot long book he the 20 foot long book he has about the history of has about the history of the Hebrew people.the Hebrew people.

One of their peoples One of their peoples ((AbrahamAbraham) brought the ) brought the Hebrews from Hebrews from Mesopotamia to Canaan. Mesopotamia to Canaan.

That was where God and That was where God and Abraham made a Abraham made a covenantcovenant (agreement/contract)(agreement/contract)

If Abraham and his people If Abraham and his people would worship only one would worship only one god (god (monotheismmonotheism), then ), then God would give Abraham God would give Abraham many descendants many descendants (through the (through the Twelve Twelve Tribes of IsraelTribes of Israel). ).

Worshiping one God was Worshiping one God was different than the other different than the other groups from the Fertile groups from the Fertile Crescent.Crescent.

These Twelve Tribes were These Twelve Tribes were nomads nomads

and they eventually ended up…and they eventually ended up…

… … in Egypt (where they in Egypt (where they were made into slaves).were made into slaves).

After a while, one of their After a while, one of their leaders (Moses) got them leaders (Moses) got them their freedom (the Exodus). their freedom (the Exodus).

When they left Egypt, they When they left Egypt, they traveled around the Sinai traveled around the Sinai Peninsula for many years.Peninsula for many years.

It was during that time that It was during that time that Moses got the Ten Moses got the Ten Commandments from God – Commandments from God – again a covenant that if again a covenant that if they followed these rules, they followed these rules, they would be they would be ““GodGod’’s own s own people.people.””

They eventually ended up They eventually ended up settling in settling in CanaanCanaan (the land (the land promised to Abraham). promised to Abraham). Canaan is now called Israel.Canaan is now called Israel.

Kingdoms of Kingdoms of the Israelitesthe Israelites

The Hebrews (Twelve Tribes of The Hebrews (Twelve Tribes of Israelites) had to continually Israelites) had to continually fight for this land. fight for this land.

They figured it was better to They figured it was better to unite and their first king was unite and their first king was Saul (killed in battle).Saul (killed in battle).

His son His son DavidDavid took over, took over, created a stronger Israel, and created a stronger Israel, and made Jerusalem itmade Jerusalem it’’s capital.s capital.

DavidDavid’’s son s son SolomonSolomon made made Israel a rich nation which had a Israel a rich nation which had a huge temple, big army, good huge temple, big army, good trade, improved roads and trade, improved roads and ports…ports…

When Solomon died, there were When Solomon died, there were problems: Israel even split into problems: Israel even split into two kingdoms: most two kingdoms: most IsraelitesIsraelites were taken over by Assyria and were taken over by Assyria and Judah was conquered by Judah was conquered by Babylonia.Babylonia.

Much of the oral history of the Hebrew Much of the oral history of the Hebrew people people

was written down during the time was written down during the time the people of Judah were conquered.the people of Judah were conquered.

When the Persians When the Persians conquered conquered Babylonia, they let Babylonia, they let the Jews return to the Jews return to their old kingdom their old kingdom – where they re-– where they re-built their temple built their temple (although still (although still living under living under Persian control)Persian control)

This idea of Monotheism still influencesThis idea of Monotheism still influencesand dominates many religions todayand dominates many religions today

The sacred book for Hebrews is The sacred book for Hebrews is the Torah (first 5 books of the the Torah (first 5 books of the bible)bible)

1.1. Genesis (creation, Abraham, and Genesis (creation, Abraham, and his descendants)his descendants)

2.2. Exodus (leaving Egypt)Exodus (leaving Egypt)3.3. Leviticus Leviticus 4.4. Numbers Numbers (Jewish laws and (Jewish laws and

instruction)instruction)

5.5. DeuteronomyDeuteronomy

The oldest Torah stories we have The oldest Torah stories we have come from the Dead Sea Scrolls come from the Dead Sea Scrolls (written about 800AD and just (written about 800AD and just found in the 1100found in the 1100’’s.s.

JudaismJudaism

WorldWorld’’s 8s 8thth biggest biggest religion (14-18 million)religion (14-18 million)

Spread out around the Spread out around the world – many in Israel world – many in Israel (40%), America (40%), (40%), America (40%), Europe, Russia, etc…Europe, Russia, etc…

Many still follow these Many still follow these old Hebrew rules and old Hebrew rules and ““lawslaws”” – as part of – as part of AbrahamAbraham’’s covenant s covenant and their faith that and their faith that they are Godthey are God’’s chosen s chosen peoplepeople