Chapter 6, Lesson 1 Israelite Beginnings

Beginnings Judaism is both an ancient and modern religion. Means it is still practiced today. Most ancient religions worshipped many deities (gods). This was known as polytheism. A group of people in Southwest Asia known as Israelites. Unlike other cultures of this time, they only worshipped one god (monotheism is the belief of one god.)

Beginnings The Israelites believed that God sent prophets (messengers) to share God’s word with the people and included: God created and ruled the world. God was powerful but also very good. God expects goodness from his people. Prophets believed that people could connect personally to God through prayer, religious study, and good and just acts. The practice of monotheism (belief in only one god) made Judaism unique among ancient religions.

The Hebrew Bible Israelites recorded their beliefs and history. This book was known as the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh. Through this book, the beliefs and faith os the Israelites became the religion of Judaism. The followers are known as Jews. Although their population was small, their influence was large. Influenced two other major religions (Christianity and Islam.) Christians call the Hebrew Bible the Old Testament.

The Hebrew Bible Christianity grew out of Judaism Islam also accepted many Judaism’s beliefs and practices. Judaism influenced the values, ethics, and principles of many other societies.

Abraham Great changes came to the Mediterranean Region in around 1200 B.C. Egypt’s empire ended. New people, including the Israelites entered the region. The Israelites relied on herding and trading to survive. According to the Hebrew Bible, Abraham and his family moved into Canaan (KAY-nuhn) [Now Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan] from Mesopotamia.

Abraham According to Jewish belief, Abraham and his family were the ancestors of the ancient Israelites. The Hebrew Bible: informs us of Abraham’s family and the early history of the Israelites. Says God told him Canaan would belong to his descendants forever. Says he and his wife, Sarah, and his family, accepted the promise and went to live in Canaan. This land is usually known as the Promise Land because it was God’s promise to him.

Isaac and Jacob After Abraham died, his son Isaac and later his grandson Jacob would lead the family. Jacob would eventually be given a new name (Israel, meaning “one who struggles with God”) by an angel. As states in the Hebrew Bible, Jacob’s 12 sons became leader of tribes (separate family groups.) These were the ancestors of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

Isaac and Jacob Jacob’s family would eventually have to leave Canaan due to a famine. They migrated to Egypt and lived their for many generations. As the Israelite population increased, the Egyptian pharaoh grew uneasy. Felt that one day the Israelites would rebel and to prevent this enslaved the Israelites.

Moses and the Exodus The Israelites were forced to do hard labor and would pray to God to be set free. According to the Hebrew Bible, Moses would be a prophet to be their deliverer (from slavery). He saw a bush in flames where he was informed by God to inform the pharaoh to release the Israelites. He met with the pharaoh and demanded the release of the Israelites. When the pharaoh refused, the Hebrew Bible says that God sent 10 plagues upon Egypt.

Moses and Exodus These plagues were events that caused problems for Egypt. Locusts (grasshopper that often migrate in large numbers) devouring fields. Outbreaks of diseases also occurred. This finally convinced the pharaoh to release the Israelites. The pharaoh would send his army to pursue them. When the Israelites reached the Red Sea, they had no way to get across. The Hebrew Bible says states that God parted the sea to let his people cross to the other side.

Moses and Exodus When the armies tried to follow across the Red Sea, the waters flooded back and drowned them. The departure out of slavery from Egypt is known as Exodus. Today, Jews celebrate a holy day called Passover to remember their freedom from slavery.

The Covenant According to the Hebrew Bible, the Israelites received a covenant (agreement) with God. God promised to deliver them to Canaan safely if they followed his laws. Moses climbed Mount Sinai as God’s chosen leader, where he received laws from God known as the Torah and would become the first part of the Hebrew Bible. It made clear what God considered right and wrong One important part of the Torah was the Ten Commandments.

The Covenant Loyalty to God is the central idea of the Ten Commandments. It included: Gods name must never be misused. They were not allowed to worship other gods or images. These would become the basis for both Christianity and Islam. The Ten Commandments later helped shape the moral principles of many nations. For instance, killing and stealing are originally listed in the Ten Commandments. It contributed to the democratic belief that laws should apply equally to all.

The Land of Canaan The Hebrew Bible states that Moses died before the Israelite reached the land God had promised them. Joshua was the new leader to continue leading them to Canaan. When they arrived they found other people living their. The people were Canaanites and a bit later, the Philistines and they worshipped many gods and goddesses and had a different ways of life.

Who Were the Canaanites? Nomadic tribes probably settled in Canaan as early as 3000 B.C. At first, most people were herders and traveled with their flocks of sheep and other animals from pasture to pasture. They would later settle into villages, farmed the land, and learned to trade. One Canaanite group was the Phoenicians. Lived in cities along the Mediterranean Sea in northern Canaan and were skilled sailors and talented traders.

Who Were the Canaanites? They used the sun and stars to navigate in the sea. Traded goods with across the Mediterranean Sea to Greece, Spain, and even western Africa and may even have made it to the British Isles. They soon controlled the Mediterranean shipping and trade. Exchanged cedar logs, glass, and jewelry for tin and other precious metals. One Phoenician product was purple dyed cloth. The dye was extracted from shellfish along the Phoenician coast.

Who Were the Canaanites? They set up settlements along the Mediterranean as a result of trading. Carthage, (located on the coast of North Africa) would become the most powerful city in the Western Mediterranean. As a result of these settlements, Phoenician ideas and goods spread to other peoples. One of the Phoenicians important contributions was an alphabet (group of letters that stand for sounds.) and could be used to spell words in their language. The alphabet made writing simpler and helped people keep better records.

Philistines The Philistines migrated to Canaan from near present-day Greece. Were known as the “Sea People” who invaded the Mediterranean area about 1200 B.C. Set up five walled towns along the Mediterranean coast. Skilled in making iron tools and weapons, which helped make them the strongest army in Canaan. They kept their own language and religion. They did accept many ideas and practices from their neighbors in Canaan.

Military Conquest The Israelites faced a challenge establishing Canaan as their new homeland. Still believed this land was promised to them by God. Joshua led them in a series of battles to conquer Canaan. The Hebrew Bible tells of the battle at the City of Jericho. Joshua instructed the Israelites to march around the walls of the city for six days, as the Priests blew their trumpets. On the seventh day, he commanded them to shout at the sound of a trumpet and the wall collapsed.

Military Conquest The Israelites were able to conquer the city. Joshua led the Israelites in other battles. Any land seized was divided among the 12 tribes. After Joshua’s death, political and military leaders known as judges ruled the tribes. They settled disputes and led troops into battle. The Hebrew Bible speaks of Deborah, a female judge who was admired for her wisdom and bravery. Instructed the commander Barak to attack the army of the Canaanite king Jabin. She went to the battlefield as an advisor and with her help, Barak and 10,000 Israelites destroyed the Canaanite forces.

Life in Canaan After many battles, the Israelites were now in control of the hilly region of central Canaan and settled their. Most farmed and herded animals. The land was rocky and dry, with little water. During rainy seasons, farmers collected rainwater which was stored in small caves or even underground. The water was used to irrigate crops like olives, flax, barley, and grapes.

Life in Canaan Israelites lived in homes with two levels. Homes were made of mudbrick or stone plastered in mud and white-washed. Floors were made of clay. During the day people cooked and did household chores on the first floor. At night it would be where the animals slept while the people slept upstairs.

The Tabernacle According to the Hebrew Bible, the Israelite tribes worshipped God in a large tent-like structure called the tabernacle. Believed it housed God’s presence. It was taken down and put away as the Israelites moved from place to place. In Canaan, the tabernacle was put up at a religious center called Shiloh. The Hebrew Bible says the tabernacle housed a sacred object called the Ark of the Covenant. It was a gold-covered chest, held tablets, or stone slabs. Israelites believed the Ten commandments were written on these tablets and believed that it was a sign of God’s presence and having it in battle would ensure victory.