The Beginnings of Judaism Pages 120-125

Lesson Objectives Analyze ways that trade and human movement linked the cities of the Fertile Crescent Describe the Hebrews’ movements Explain Judaism, the religious beliefs of the Hebrews

Hebrew Bible (a.k.a. The Old Testament) Jewish people’s record of their history and their religion (Judaism)

Abraham of Ur Originally lived in Mesopotamia, city-state of Ur Genesis 12: 1-3 The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your land, your family, and your father’s household for the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation and will bless you. I will make your name respected, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, those who curse you I will curse; all the families of the earth will be blessed because of you.”

Abraham of UR

The Covenant Set out for land of Canaan Used trade routes that linked major cities of the Fertile Crescent When Abraham arrived in Canaan, God made a covenant (special agreement) with him (Genesis 17:8). Later, descendants would be known as Israelites; also known as Jews

The Covenant

Genesis 17:8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”

Going to Egypt A time came of poor crops and terrible hunger People of Israel went to Egypt, where food could be found Pharaoh oppressed them with forced labor People of Israel had become slaves Exodus 1:11 “So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.”

Slaves in Egypt

Moses in Egypt Born to Israelite parents, but adopted as a baby by the pharaoh’s daughter

Moses God called to him to free the Israelites from Egypt Moses protested at first, then obeyed and made the long trek back to Egypt Moses led the Israelite captives from Egypt Jews celebrate the Passover festival each year to remember their freedom from slavery

Mount Sinai Moses and the Israelites wondered for 40 years in the wilderness Early in their journey they traveled to Mount Sinai God gave Moses the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20)

The Ten Commandments

Moses’ Final Words Deuteronomy 33 After hearing Moses’ final words, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the land of Canaan They were a nation with a land

King David Israel became a powerful kingdom Made Jerusalem the capital of Israel

David’s son, Solomon Built a great temple in Jerusalem Jerusalem became the center of both religious and political life After Solomon’s death, the kingdoms split Northern kingdom: Israel Southern kingdom: Judah

Exile to Babylonia Babylonian armies destroyed Solomon’s temple Jews were exiled and sent to Babylon Diaspora: scattering of Jews to many parts of the world