Slide 1

Why are we studying this? To understand the stories that were foundational to a specific people group (Jews, Christians, Muslims) and ended up influencing Western Civilization. These stories will appear throughout the year in the art and literature of the medieval, Renaissance, Romantic and Modern eras. Knowing them will help you understand and interpret the work we do later this yearStudying these standards are part of our Reading/Lit standards: Standard 9: Analyze how an author draws on and transforms material in a specific work (e.g., how Shakespeare treats a theme or topic from Ovid or the Bible). As we read/discuss these stories, we ask that everyone be respectful of each others backgrounds avoid causing offense or being easily offended.

Hebrews called people of the book

Instead of building great monuments and far reaching empires, they forged a rich cultural life based around their religious beliefs.

The Hebrew Bible is their great monumenta record of their spiritual, historical and literary experience. It is the single most complete cultural record we have of an ancient civilization.The People of the Book

The Hebrew Bible is called the Old Testament by Christians.

It tells a story that begins in ???? with the creation story Abraham (the father of the Jewish people) is about 1950 BCEAround the same time as the settling of MycenaeThe story abruptly ends in about 400 BCE with a few Jews returning from Babylonian captivity to rebuild the temple under the leadership of Nehemiah.

For comparison, the Trojan War was around 1250 BCE

The book was written down from about 1100 BC-100 BCE. Most of it is inHebrew, but some prophetic booksDaniel, Ezra, Nehemiah and Jeremiahare written in Aramaic, a Persian/Babylonian language still spoken today by some in middle eastern countries.

Sample of Aramaic writingGenesis 1 in Hebrew

The Jews call the book the Tanach, an acronym for the three sectionsof the Hebrew Bible

TA----Torahthe law, the first five books

NA---Neviimmeaning prophets covers all the historical or propheticwritings

ACH (Ahk)Ketuvimmeaning the writings Poetic books. Song of songs, Psalms, Proverbs, etc.

The Tanach begins with Genesis and ends with Chronicles. Not chronological. The order of the Christian Old Testament is also not chronological.

The First Five. The Torah the law)

GenesisCreation, Tower of Babel, Noah, The Patriarchs (Abraham,Issac and Jacob)

ExodusMoses, slavery in Egypt, freedom, the 10 commandments, wandering in the wilderness

Leviticusthe Law (in great detail)

NumbersMore stories from the wilderness. Disobedience and obedience, wars and alliances, Moses argues with God.

DeuteronomyMoses, days away from death, recounts the story to a new generation. Blessing and curses.

Generally considered chronological

Abraham stopped from sacrificing IssacNeviim (means The Prophets)

Words of the prophets not fortunetellers but social and spiritual reformerswhose words are considered inspired by God. Used many methods to get theirmessage across. (miracles, performance art, creative states of undress, etc.)

The prophets called on people to repent and lead purer and more just livesin keeping with Gods covenant

Contains:Joshua (successor to Moses)Judges (Samuel)Books of Samuel1 and 2 Kings (Elijah and Elisha)Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel12 minor prophets

Jeremiah: A bi-polar prophetalso called the weeping prophet or the broken-hearted prophetKetuvim (means The Writings)

A mix of genres but mostly poetic (with exception of Chronicles, Daniel andEzra-Nehemiah)

Includes--Job (the OTs oldest story)Song of Songs (love poetry)Ruth EstherPsalmsProverbsDanielNehemiahChronicles

Job counseled by wife and friendsThe Biblical Hero

In most ancient literature, the hero was usually of noble birth, strong in battle,proud of his excellence (Arete).

In the Bible, a hero is either a common man (Joseph, Gideon, David) or an important person brought low (Moses) who then attains heroic status by following Gods will and seeking divine guidance and intervention.

The Biblical paradigm revolves around counter-intuition (doing the opposite of what comes naturally or what common sense would suggest) The wisdom of God is foolishness to man.

God is real hero of the Hebrew Bible.

Abraham is promised a son but the promise isnt fulfilled until he and his wife, Sarah, are 90-years -old. When he is older, Abraham is commanded by God to sacrifice his son of promise. Abraham prepares to do it, apparently without question. An angel stops his hand, but Abraham proves his faith by obeying God (counter-intuitive action) Themes in the Hebrew Bible

MonotheismOnly one God (that matters, at least) No pantheon of gods.

The CovenantA solemn oath between God and the Hebrews. God: If you follow my law, you will be blessed.) Blessings and curses.

TestingGod often tests human beings and they dont always pass. They make mistakes, suffer the consequences and sometimes experience Godsmercy and the promise of spiritual renewal. Favorites of God are allowed, attimes, to test Gods promises without punishment.

The Virtue of Faith Faith is the right answer in every Biblical test andchallenge.

Apologies and Second chances ---Redemption is never very far away and always begins with Im sorry.

Much of the Hebrew Bible is descriptive rather than prescriptive. Some of the behavior of Biblical heroes is not designed to be emulated. Rather we learn about how the HebrewGod can turn the actions of men (and women) to good.

Teaching activity

In groups of 3-4, you will be assigned a story from the Hebrew bible to teach the rest of the class. Your teaching should include:- Accurate summary of the story/character in a way that allows your classmates to record the information in their notes- Something to catch our interest and make the story memorable (video, skit, music, powerpoint has visuals, etc.)- Reference (where is the story found?)- Where has your story/character appeared in art, literature, music, culture? Include two examples

You can create presentation documents in Google using the Presentation program in Google drive this can be a good way to share information with your group

Presentations will begin on Monday 11/17

Roman Satire Review:Define Satire

2. Describe the difference between Horatian and Juvenalian satire

3. Name the satire we read by Horace and what he satirizes

4. Name the satire we read by Juvenal and what he satirizes. 354002.5