Judaism Over the Centuries

Revolt Against Rome Foreign rule threatens Jewish society Zealots- Most rebellious of the Jews –Refused to obey Roman officials AD 66- The Jews, led by the Zealots, revolted Jews’ revolt was unsuccessful

Revolt Against Rome Revolt lasted 4 years Caused terrible damage - Jerusalem lay in ruins - Romans burned the Jews’ second temple

Revolt Against Rome But 1,000 Zealots refused to give up. They locked themselves in a mountain fortress called Masada. Romans reach Masada but Zealots killed themselves

Results of the Revolt Romans killed much of Jerusalem’s population Took many of the survivors as slaves Romans took over Jerusalem Many Jews left and resettled in Egypt and other Jewish communities in the Roman empire

A Second Revolt Jews tried another revolt The Roman army defeated the Jews Romans banned all Jews from living in Jerusalem Jewish migration increased throughout the Mediterranean region

Migration and Discrimination No Temple so - local synagogues became more important –Led by rabbis: religious leaders Yohanan ben Zaccai –Open school & taught people about Judaism –Trained people to become rabbis – Helped to preserve Judaism during the Diaspora Jews moved out of Mediterranean region into other parts of the world Discrimination led to Jews settling in Asia, Russia, and finally the United States

Traditions and Holy Days

Hanukkah Celebrated in December Celebrates the rededication of the second temple during the revolt of the Maccabees Miraculously the little oil the had (enough to only last 1 day) burned for 8 full days! Jews light candles in a special candle holder called a menorah with eight candles Jews exchange gifts each night of Hanukkah

Passover More important than Hanukkah A time to remember the Exodus Celebrated in March or April Only bread is eaten during Passover

High Holy Days Rosh Hashanah –Celebrates the Jewish New Year –Celebrated in March or April Yom Kippur –Considered the most holy day –Jews ask God to forgive their sins –Jews fast for an entire day

Questions Who won the battle at Masada? What happened to the Zealots? After the Jews were defeated a seconf time by the Romans, what happened to them? What does Hanukkah celebrate? What event does Passover celebrate?