The Ancient Hebrews and the Origins of Judaism I can explain the origins of Judaism and important figures of the Ancient Hebrews.
Jewish Population World- 14 Million U.S- 3 Million
The Torah The Torah is a written explanation of the ancient Hebrews’ beliefs.
The Torah Christians refer to the Jewish Bible as the Old Testament.
Abraham- Father of the Hebrews According to Jewish belief, God promised Abram he would have many descendant. God signified this promised by changing Abram’s name to Abraham.
Abraham- Father of the Hebrews Abram was born in Ur (Mesopotamia/Iraq.) The people of Ur worshiped many gods. Abram believed there was only one true God (monotheism).
Abraham Father of the Hebrews Abram gathered his many relatives and went west into the land of Canaan. Canaan became the “Promise Land.”
Abraham Father of the Hebrews The Torah says that one day God tested Abraham by telling him to make a sacrifice of his son Isaac. According to the Torah God said, “I will make your descendants as many as the stars of heaven.”
Abraham- Father of the Hebrews The Hebrew nation was made up of 12 tribes that were descended from Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, whom an angel from God had named Israel.
Abraham’s Contributions 1. He was the ancestor of the Jewish people (Israel.) He introduced the belief in a single God (monotheism.)
Moses- Leader & Prophet The Torah calls the flight from Egypt the Exodus. The word exodus means departure.
Moses- Leader & Prophet After leaving Egypt, the Torah says, the Hebrews wandered through a wilderness for 40 years.
Moses- Leader & Prophet Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, the “Mountain of God.”
Moses- Leader & Prophet Ark of the Covenant- the chest containing the Ten Commandments, that the Hebrews carried w/them during their wanderings in the wilderness.
Moses- Contributions 1. led the Exodus out of Egypt (Passover.) 2. gave Judaism its fundamental laws, Ten Commandments. 3. united Hebrews into united people devoted to one God.
Kings of Israel King David unified Israel and Judah.
Kings of Israel King David provide the Jewish people with a strong central government
Kings of Israel David chose the city of Jerusalem for his capital. Jerusalem- Holy City
Destruction of Jerusalem In 586 BCE the city was captured and destroyed by the Babylonians & King Nebuchadnezza. The Jewish people were taken into exile.