The Spread of Judaism How Judaism survived and spread throughout the world.

Central Beliefs of Judaism Monotheism – One God Monotheism – One God Following God’s Law ( 10 Commandments ) Following God’s Law ( 10 Commandments ) Equality and Social Justice: everyone is equal in God’s eye, help to care for the less fortunate Equality and Social Justice: everyone is equal in God’s eye, help to care for the less fortunate Importance of Study: study the Torah Importance of Study: study the Torah

Judges and Kings Judges and Kings Judges were warriors or prophets who would inspire an army of volunteers to defend their homeland. Prophets encouraged the Hebrews to keep their faith. Judges were warriors or prophets who would inspire an army of volunteers to defend their homeland. Prophets encouraged the Hebrews to keep their faith. 2 women became judges: Deborah and Ruth 2 women became judges: Deborah and Ruth The time of judges ended when Saul became king. The time of judges ended when Saul became king. After Saul, David became king and captured Jerusalem. After Saul, David became king and captured Jerusalem. Solomon, David’s son, built a great temple in Jerusalem. Solomon, David’s son, built a great temple in Jerusalem.

Foreign Domination Fall of Judah in 597 BCE and the destruction of the temple built by Solomon in 587 BCE threatened the survival of the Jewish beliefs. Fall of Judah in 597 BCE and the destruction of the temple built by Solomon in 587 BCE threatened the survival of the Jewish beliefs. Became slaves in Babylon for ½ a century (597 BCE- 538 BCE). Became slaves in Babylon for ½ a century (597 BCE- 538 BCE).

Jewish Diaspora When the Hebrews were captured and became slaves in Babylon, they called it the Jewish Diaspora When the Hebrews were captured and became slaves in Babylon, they called it the Jewish Diaspora Diaspora means “scattering” or spreading out throughout the world. Diaspora means “scattering” or spreading out throughout the world. Never again would most of the Hebrews be together in one single homeland, even today. Never again would most of the Hebrews be together in one single homeland, even today.

Diaspora: Exile from homeland

Continued… In 539 BCE the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians, until Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, allowed them to go home because Cyrus tolerated other religions. Some went back to Judah where they re-built some of the temple, others stayed in Babylon. In 539 BCE the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians, until Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, allowed them to go home because Cyrus tolerated other religions. Some went back to Judah where they re-built some of the temple, others stayed in Babylon. Judah was ruled by the Persians and the Greeks for over 400 years. Some rulers were kind, but most of the time they were harsh. Judah was ruled by the Persians and the Greeks for over 400 years. Some rulers were kind, but most of the time they were harsh.

And then there were the Romans In 70 CE the Roman military conquered the Hebrews and destroyed Jerusalem and its temple. All that was left was the western part of the wall. In 70 CE the Roman military conquered the Hebrews and destroyed Jerusalem and its temple. All that was left was the western part of the wall. They seized Jewish land and forbade the Hebrews from entering Jerusalem. Thousands were sent to other parts of the Roman Empire. They seized Jewish land and forbade the Hebrews from entering Jerusalem. Thousands were sent to other parts of the Roman Empire. The Hebrews lost their homeland and their holy city. The Hebrews lost their homeland and their holy city.

Preserving and Passing on the Faith They were spread out throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe but they were able to keep the faith alive. They were spread out throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe but they were able to keep the faith alive. Rabbi Yohanan ben Zaccai: he begged the Hebrews to surrender in order to save the faith. When the Hebrews refused, he went to the Romans. Rabbi Yohanan ben Zaccai: he begged the Hebrews to surrender in order to save the faith. When the Hebrews refused, he went to the Romans. He pleaded to start a Jewish school in the Roman Empire’s Yavneh (right outside of Judah) so when Jerusalem fell, Yavneh became the center of Jewish life. He pleaded to start a Jewish school in the Roman Empire’s Yavneh (right outside of Judah) so when Jerusalem fell, Yavneh became the center of Jewish life. They taught other Rabbi’s and other people the faith so when they returned home to their people they were able to spread the faith to them. They taught other Rabbi’s and other people the faith so when they returned home to their people they were able to spread the faith to them.

Continued…. New Teachers and Practices New Teachers and Practices Rabbi’s created synagogues (a place of worship, meeting, and study). This allowed them to strengthen their communities and faith, and why Judaism is still worshipped around the world today! Rabbi’s created synagogues (a place of worship, meeting, and study). This allowed them to strengthen their communities and faith, and why Judaism is still worshipped around the world today!