The Middle East (Southwest Asia) FSMS 7th Grade Social Studies; Unit 2 Culture: Introduction to Religion & Judaism Georgia Standard SS7G8(c)

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Standard SS7G8 The student will describe the diverse cultures of the people who live in Southwest Asia (Middle East). (c) Compare and contrast the prominent religions in Southwest Asia (Middle East): Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

First Five Agenda Message: S.S. Progress Reports go home Wed. for the month of September. The deadline for Social Studies make-up work must be submitted to Mr. Smith no later than Tuesday October 3rd. Standard: Compare & contrast the religions of Judaism, Christianity, & Islam. E.Q. for Monday, 9/25/17: What is monotheism? Warm Up: What does OPEC mean? TODAY WE WILL: Finish introduction on ethnic and religious groups Start histories of Judaism and Christianity

ANSWERS Essential Question Answer for Monday September 25th: Monotheism is the belief in one god Warm-Up Answer: The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

FIRST FIVE Agenda Message: S.S. Progress Reports go home tomorrow for the month of September. Have parents sign and return for a homework grade of “100”. Standard: Describe the diverse cultures of the people of SWA. Essential Question for Tuesday, 9/26/17: Describe the Diaspora in the history of the Jewish faith? Warm Up: Name the three patriarchs of Judaism. TODAY WE WILL: Continue history of Judaism and filling-out Religions of SWA Worksheet

ANSWERS Essential Question Answer for Tuesday September 26th: The Diaspora was the 1,000 year period in the history of Judaism where Jews were spread throughout the world and did not have a homeland. Warm-Up Answer: The three patriarchs of Judaism are Abraham, his son Isaac, & his grandson Jacob

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Introduction Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have their origins in the lands that make up the countries of Southwest Asia. (a.k.a. The Holy Lands) Though these three religions have much in common, historically there has been a great deal of religious conflict in this part of the world. All of the other countries in the region are mostly Muslim, although most also have a Christian minority. There are further divisions within all three religions. Most are divided into a number of sects or groups.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Introduction cont. The most important sects are the Sunni Muslims and the Shia Muslims. Christians have many different sects which they refer to as denominations. They include Protestants, Catholics and various Orthodox sects. Different groups are found among Jews as well, including those who are Orthodox and those who are Reform. Religion has played a big role in the history and politics of Southwest Asia.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Judaism/History Judaism was the first monotheistic religion, meaning its followers believe in only one God. Judaism traces its origins back to Abraham, a man born in Mesopotamia in approximately 2,000 B.C. He was one of the first people to profess belief in a single God, even though the society in which he lived worshipped many different gods. The Torah, the first five books in the Hebrew Scripture, says that God made a covenant (agreement) with Abraham, promising to set him as the head of a new nation if he would dedicate himself and the Hebrew people to the worship of one God.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Judaism/History cont. Abraham left Mesopotamia and eventually came to the land of Canaan (part of the present day state of Israel) on the Mediterranean coast, which he believed God had promised to him and his descendants. Here the Hebrews lived, worshipping Yahweh, the God they believed would protect them for their faithfulness. At a very old age, Abraham and his wife Sarah had a son, Isaac. Abraham, Isaac and his grandson Jacob, are seen as patriarchs, or founders, of the Hebrew nation. Jacob’s twelve sons, in turn, are viewed as the ancestors of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Judaism/History cont. The Hebrew people lived in an area surrounded by more powerful kingdoms, and the Bible says that around 1,300- 1,200 B.C. The Hebrews were forced into slavery in Egypt. After years of suffering, a leader named Moses, took them into the Sinai desert to escape from slavery. This escape is known as the “Exodus” and is remembered each year by the celebration of Passover in the Jewish religious calendar. While wandering in the Sinai desert, the Jewish faith teaches that God renewed his covenant with the Hebrew people, revealing to them the Ten Commandments.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Judaism/History cont. After many years, they were able to return to Canaan where they lived in twelve generally self-governing tribes. The largest of these tribes was that of Judah (from which the names of Judaism and Jews developed). Around 1,000 B.C., the Hebrew people united under a series of kings (King Saul, King David, and King Solomon) in the kingdom of Israel. King David established his capital in the city of Jerusalem. King Saul later built a great temple there and dedicated it to the one true God of the Jewish people.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Judaism/History cont. Struggles with more powerful neighbors continued however, and eventually the kingdom was divided with Judah in the south and Israel in the north. Independent rule in the area was ended finally by a Roman takeover, and the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D. Only a portion of the Western Wall of the Temple built by King Saul was left standing.

The Middle East Diverse Cultures Ethnic Groups & Religions Judaism/History cont. The Jewish people were forced out of the lands around Jerusalem and for many generations lived in what was called “The Diaspora,” or the scattering of the Jews to other parts of the world. The importance of Jerusalem and of the remaining western wall of the Temple continued to be central to Jews during the long centuries of the Diaspora. Jewish people continue to believe that the lands of ancient Israel remained part of the covenant they had made with God.