Chapter Two Section Six

The Origins of Judaism – The Hebrews At different times in history, several people inhabited Canaan, a small strip of land to the south of Phoenicia. At different times in history, several people inhabited Canaan, a small strip of land to the south of Phoenicia. One of the groups of people who inhabited this area was called the Hebrews, the ancestors of modern Jews. One of the groups of people who inhabited this area was called the Hebrews, the ancestors of modern Jews.

According to the Bible, the founder of the Hebrew people was Abraham. According to the Bible, the founder of the Hebrew people was Abraham. Abraham left Sumer and led his people through the desert to Canaan. Abraham left Sumer and led his people through the desert to Canaan. Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, had twelve sons. Each of these sons established a tribe. These groups were known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, had twelve sons. Each of these sons established a tribe. These groups were known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

The Exodus The Hebrews lived in Egypt peacefully, for some time, but eventually fell out of favor with the Egyptians. The Hebrews lived in Egypt peacefully, for some time, but eventually fell out of favor with the Egyptians. When the Egyptians expelled the Hyksos in the 1200s B.C., they enslaved the Hebrews. When the Egyptians expelled the Hyksos in the 1200s B.C., they enslaved the Hebrews. The Hebrews were held as slaves for 400 years, during which time they suffered greatly. The Hebrews were held as slaves for 400 years, during which time they suffered greatly.

Moses led the Exodus, the escape of the Hebrews from Egypt. Moses led the Exodus, the escape of the Hebrews from Egypt. The Hebrews fled into the deserts of the Sinai Peninsula, where they wandered through the wilderness. The Hebrews fled into the deserts of the Sinai Peninsula, where they wandered through the wilderness.

The Ten Commandments As the Bible tells it, Moses returned from the top of Mount Sinai with tablets bearing the Ten Commandments. As the Bible tells it, Moses returned from the top of Mount Sinai with tablets bearing the Ten Commandments. These commandments were a set of moral laws that Yahweh (the Hebrew god) had revealed to Moses. These commandments were a set of moral laws that Yahweh (the Hebrew god) had revealed to Moses. When the Hebrews agreed to follow these commandments, they entered into a covenant, or agreement with Yahweh. When the Hebrews agreed to follow these commandments, they entered into a covenant, or agreement with Yahweh. The Hebrews set out to find Canaan, the promised land, and wandered for many years. The Hebrews set out to find Canaan, the promised land, and wandered for many years.

The Founding of Israel The Hebrews settled on the borders of northern Canaan, where they created a shrine for Moses’s tablets, known as the Ark of the Covenant. The Hebrews settled on the borders of northern Canaan, where they created a shrine for Moses’s tablets, known as the Ark of the Covenant. Judges ruled the various tribes and God’s law was used to settle disputes between the tribes. Judges ruled the various tribes and God’s law was used to settle disputes between the tribes. The Canaanites and the Philistines both resisted the relocation of the Hebrews to Canaan, and this resulted in a conflict that lasted more than 200 years. The Canaanites and the Philistines both resisted the relocation of the Hebrews to Canaan, and this resulted in a conflict that lasted more than 200 years.

The Hebrews conquered the Canaanites, but the Philistines turned out to be more of a challenge. They never succeeded in conquering them fully. The Hebrews conquered the Canaanites, but the Philistines turned out to be more of a challenge. They never succeeded in conquering them fully. During the fighting years, the twelve tribes united under one king. During the fighting years, the twelve tribes united under one king. The first king of this united kingdom (Israel) was Saul. The first king of this united kingdom (Israel) was Saul.

Saul was succeeded by David, who formed a new dynasty. Saul was succeeded by David, who formed a new dynasty. David occupied the city of Jerusalem, making it the capital city of Israel. David occupied the city of Jerusalem, making it the capital city of Israel. David started the tradition of making a covenant between God and the people. David started the tradition of making a covenant between God and the people. Under the rule of David’s son, Solomon, Israel reached the height of its wealth and power. Under the rule of David’s son, Solomon, Israel reached the height of its wealth and power.

Solomon married the daughter of an Egyptian pharaoh and used to trade with Arabia to gain wealth. Solomon married the daughter of an Egyptian pharaoh and used to trade with Arabia to gain wealth. Following the death of Solomon, Israel was divided into Israel and Judah. Following the death of Solomon, Israel was divided into Israel and Judah. In 722 B.C., the Assyrians conquered Israel and enslaved many Hebrews. In 722 B.C., the Assyrians conquered Israel and enslaved many Hebrews.

In 587 B.C., the Chaldeans captured Judah and destroyed the capital city of Jerusalem. In 587 B.C., the Chaldeans captured Judah and destroyed the capital city of Jerusalem. When the Persian king, Cyrus, conquered the Chaldeans, he allowed the Hebrews to return to Jerusalem, where the rebuilt the Temple of Solomon. When the Persian king, Cyrus, conquered the Chaldeans, he allowed the Hebrews to return to Jerusalem, where the rebuilt the Temple of Solomon.

The Development of Judaism About one third of the Hebrew Scriptures, known as the Old Testament, is Hebrew history. The remaining parts include poetry, prophecy and religious instruction. About one third of the Hebrew Scriptures, known as the Old Testament, is Hebrew history. The remaining parts include poetry, prophecy and religious instruction.

Law and Ethics The first five books of the Old Testament are known as the Torah, and include the Hebrew code of laws. The first five books of the Old Testament are known as the Torah, and include the Hebrew code of laws. Mosaic law (named for Moses) includes the Ten Commandments. Mosaic law (named for Moses) includes the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments resemble the Code of Hammurabi with its “eye for an eye” justice. The Ten Commandments resemble the Code of Hammurabi with its “eye for an eye” justice. Mosaic law placed a higher value on human life, demanding kindness toward the poor and the slaves. The death sentence was reserved for severe crimes, such as adultery, kidnapping, treason and sacrifice to idols. Mosaic law placed a higher value on human life, demanding kindness toward the poor and the slaves. The death sentence was reserved for severe crimes, such as adultery, kidnapping, treason and sacrifice to idols.

Religion The early Hebrews worshipped Yahweh as their only god. The early Hebrews worshipped Yahweh as their only god. They believed if they sinned against Yahweh, they and their children would endure much suffering. They believed if they sinned against Yahweh, they and their children would endure much suffering. The Hebrews saw Yahweh as a spiritual force, rather than as a glorified human being. The Hebrews saw Yahweh as a spiritual force, rather than as a glorified human being. The Hebrews practiced ethical monotheism, which is a belief in one god that emphasizes proper behavior. The Hebrews practiced ethical monotheism, which is a belief in one god that emphasizes proper behavior.

The Jewish system of ethics carried over into the founding of Christianity. The Jewish system of ethics carried over into the founding of Christianity. Many people refer to the values first established by the Hebrews as Judeo- Christian ethics. Many people refer to the values first established by the Hebrews as Judeo- Christian ethics. These ideas rank among the most important contributions the Hebrews made to Western civilization. These ideas rank among the most important contributions the Hebrews made to Western civilization.