Social Studies Essential UNIT Question: How did geography influence the development of the Eastern hemisphere?

Social Studies Standards Development of Early Civilizations: 2.2c, 2.4d

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Focus Question # 18: How did geography influence religious practice? (Part 3)

Geography is Destiny According to the Hebrew Bible, a religious leader named Moses rose to political importance; The Israelites looked up to him for guidance and strength. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt where they were held in captivity (slavery) and forced to endure great hardship.

Continued Moses believed that the Israelites would never be free of the Pharaoh’s cruelty until they left Egypt and resettled in the land of Canaan, which lay across the Sinai Desert to the east. To monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) Moses is known as a prophet, or someone who speaks for God and delivers instructions on how to live and worship religiously. After a difficult journey through impossible conditions, the Israelites reached their “promised land.” Sadly, Moses did not live to see this day.

Geography is Destiny (Cont.) Geography served to motivate the Israelites through hardship; It was the promise of fertile land and religious freedom that inspired them to seek a new beginning. Destiny: A predetermined course of events.

The Great Exodus The religious observance of “Passover” is the anniversary celebration of the Israelite journey from bondage to freedom in the land of Canaan.

Moses as Religious Leader Moses holds the “Ten Commandments” which according to the Hebrew Bible, were written by God. The Commandments were laws intended to keep the Israelites close to their faith, and also to provide a social order.

Abraham’s Migration

12 Tribes of Israel

The Hebrew language reads right to left Hebrew Alphabet The Hebrew language reads right to left

Activity:

Homework # 27: See HW tab

Today’s Middle East http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/me.htm

Today I Learned . . .