The Ancient Hebrews The Origins of Judaism

The Hebrews were: a people who settled northeast of Egypt, in Canaan, about 1950 B.C.E. They were the founders of: JUDAISM which is: one of the world’s major religions today. a people who settled northeast of Egypt, in Canaan, about 1950 B.C.E. They were the founders of: JUDAISM which is: one of the world’s major religions today.

The origins of Judaism are described in its most sacred text: The Torah or Jewish Bible The Torah or Jewish Bible

There are four key leaders in the Torah:  Abraham  Moses  David  Solomon  Abraham  Moses  David  Solomon

Abraham:  Is called the “father of the Hebrews”  He introduced the belief in a single God  As a test by God, he was told to sacrifice Isaac, his only son  His devotion to God was so complete that he was ready to do as he was told  God sent an angel to stop Abraham  Is called the “father of the Hebrews”  He introduced the belief in a single God  As a test by God, he was told to sacrifice Isaac, his only son  His devotion to God was so complete that he was ready to do as he was told  God sent an angel to stop Abraham

Abraham  Had proved his faith and obedience so  God made a sacred covenant saying that the Hebrews were God’s chosen people  God promised to favor and protect Abraham’s descendants forever; w/ descendants I mean:  His children and the generations to follow  Had proved his faith and obedience so  God made a sacred covenant saying that the Hebrews were God’s chosen people  God promised to favor and protect Abraham’s descendants forever; w/ descendants I mean:  His children and the generations to follow

Moses Moses  The greatest leader of the Hebrews  The Torah tells how he led his people out of slavery in Egypt, known as the  Exodus  Which means  “departure”  He gave Judaism its fundamental laws which are the  Ten Commandments which are:  10 important laws engraved on two stone tablets given to Moses by God  The greatest leader of the Hebrews  The Torah tells how he led his people out of slavery in Egypt, known as the  Exodus  Which means  “departure”  He gave Judaism its fundamental laws which are the  Ten Commandments which are:  10 important laws engraved on two stone tablets given to Moses by God

King David King David  The Hebrews wandered in the desert for 40 years  The Hebrews settled in Canaan  David, not yet a grown man, was outraged with Goliath’s mockery of the Hebrew God so he killed Goliath  His courage and faith were rewarded when God made him king TThe Hebrews wandered in the desert for 40 years TThe Hebrews settled in Canaan DDavid, not yet a grown man, was outraged with Goliath’s mockery of the Hebrew God so he killed Goliath HHis courage and faith were rewarded when God made him king

So, as king, David  Chose the city of Jerusalem to become the center of Israel’s political and religious life  He brought to Jerusalem the Hebrews’ most sacred object, the:  Ark of the Covenant:  The chest containing the Ten Commandments  Chose the city of Jerusalem to become the center of Israel’s political and religious life  He brought to Jerusalem the Hebrews’ most sacred object, the:  Ark of the Covenant:  The chest containing the Ten Commandments

Solomon  Became king after his father, David, died  He decided to build a temple in Jerusalem to house the  Ark of the Covenant  His methods to build the Temple angered the people, so, after he died, the northern tribes broke away and became a separate kingdom.  Became king after his father, David, died  He decided to build a temple in Jerusalem to house the  Ark of the Covenant  His methods to build the Temple angered the people, so, after he died, the northern tribes broke away and became a separate kingdom.

Building Jerusalem’s first great temple was:  A huge undertaking  Cost the Hebrews greatly as they:  Were taxed heavily so that gold, copper, and cedar wood could be purchased to complete it and  More than 3,000 officials were needed to oversee the project  A huge undertaking  Cost the Hebrews greatly as they:  Were taxed heavily so that gold, copper, and cedar wood could be purchased to complete it and  More than 3,000 officials were needed to oversee the project

Both David and Solomon  Laid the foundation of a strong Hebrew kingdom that lasted more than:  400 years.  David:  Established Jerusalem as a holy city  Solomon:  Built Jerusalem’s first great temple  Laid the foundation of a strong Hebrew kingdom that lasted more than:  400 years.  David:  Established Jerusalem as a holy city  Solomon:  Built Jerusalem’s first great temple

The Struggle to Preserve Judaism  The Hebrew kingdom split in two after the death of King Solomon  In 597B.C.E., the Babylonians captured the city and burned down Solomon’s great temple  This captivity was the beginning of  the Jewish Diaspora  “a scattering”  The Hebrew kingdom split in two after the death of King Solomon  In 597B.C.E., the Babylonians captured the city and burned down Solomon’s great temple  This captivity was the beginning of  the Jewish Diaspora  “a scattering”

Most people in ancient times believed in: Most people in ancient times believed in:  Many gods called:  polytheism  The Hebrews were different because they believed in only one God, a belief called:  monotheism MMany gods called: ppolytheism TThe Hebrews were different because they believed in only one God, a belief called: mmonotheism

Judaism has always been concerned with: Judaism has always been concerned with:  Equality and  Social justice.  The Torah teaches :  “You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor.” EEquality and SSocial justice. TThe Torah teaches : ““You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor.”

Also important in Judaism is:  study.  One important work that helps scholars to interpret the Torah is the:  Talmud  study.  One important work that helps scholars to interpret the Torah is the:  Talmud

The Romans came along in 63 B.C.E. and:  Started building a great empire;  They were quick to stamp out any sign of rebellion;  More than 50,000 Jews were brutally executed or  killed  Started building a great empire;  They were quick to stamp out any sign of rebellion;  More than 50,000 Jews were brutally executed or  killed

The Jews faced a great struggle to preserve their religion  They were scattered among many gentiles or  Non-Jewish people.  However, with creativity, some rabbis or  Jewish teachers  Found ways to keep teaching in the synagogues or  Jewish places of worship.  They were scattered among many gentiles or  Non-Jewish people.  However, with creativity, some rabbis or  Jewish teachers  Found ways to keep teaching in the synagogues or  Jewish places of worship.