Section IV: The Beginnings of Judaism (Pages 42-45) This section is about: This section is about: How the geography of Canaan influenced the ancient civilization of the Hebrews. How the geography of Canaan influenced the ancient civilization of the Hebrews. How Judaism was founded, and how it alter became a major world religion. How Judaism was founded, and how it alter became a major world religion.

Another group who lived in the area of the Fertile Crescent were the Hebrews. Another group who lived in the area of the Fertile Crescent were the Hebrews. But, they were a little different than the other groups we’ve seen so far. But, they were a little different than the other groups we’ve seen so far. We know a lot about them, because they recorded events important to them in their Hebrew Bible (Many groups only use an oral history) We know a lot about them, because they recorded events important to them in their Hebrew Bible (Many groups only use an oral history) How do you know about you and your family’s past? How do you know about you and your family’s past? Ask your teacher about the 20 foot long book he has about the history of the Hebrew people. Ask your teacher about the 20 foot long book he has about the history of the Hebrew people.

One of their peoples (Abraham) brought the Hebrews from Mesopotamia to Canaan. One of their peoples (Abraham) brought the Hebrews from Mesopotamia to Canaan. That was where God and Abraham made a covenant (agreement/contract) That was where God and Abraham made a covenant (agreement/contract) If Abraham and his people would worship only one god (monotheism), then God would give Abraham many descendants (through the Twelve Tribes of Israel). If Abraham and his people would worship only one god (monotheism), then God would give Abraham many descendants (through the Twelve Tribes of Israel). Worshiping one God was different than the other groups from the Fertile Crescent. Worshiping one God was different than the other groups from the Fertile Crescent.

These Twelve Tribes were nomads and they eventually ended up… … in Egypt (where they were made into slaves). … in Egypt (where they were made into slaves). After a while, one of their leaders (Moses) got them their freedom (the Exodus). After a while, one of their leaders (Moses) got them their freedom (the Exodus). When they left Egypt, they traveled around the Sinai Peninsula for many years. When they left Egypt, they traveled around the Sinai Peninsula for many years. It was during that time that Moses got the Ten Commandments from God – again a covenant that if they followed these rules, they would be “God’s own people.” It was during that time that Moses got the Ten Commandments from God – again a covenant that if they followed these rules, they would be “God’s own people.” They eventually ended up settling in Canaan (the land promised to Abraham). Canaan is now called Israel. They eventually ended up settling in Canaan (the land promised to Abraham). Canaan is now called Israel.

Kingdoms of the Israelites The Hebrews (Twelve Tribes of Israelites) had to continually fight for this land. The Hebrews (Twelve Tribes of Israelites) had to continually fight for this land. They figured it was better to unite and their first king was Saul (killed in battle). They figured it was better to unite and their first king was Saul (killed in battle). His son David took over, created a stronger Israel, and made Jerusalem it’s capital. His son David took over, created a stronger Israel, and made Jerusalem it’s capital. David’s son Solomon made Israel a rich nation which had a huge temple, big army, good trade, improved roads and ports… David’s son Solomon made Israel a rich nation which had a huge temple, big army, good trade, improved roads and ports… When Solomon died, there were problems: Israel even split into two kingdoms: most Israelites were taken over by Assyria and Judah was conquered by Babylonia. When Solomon died, there were problems: Israel even split into two kingdoms: most Israelites were taken over by Assyria and Judah was conquered by Babylonia.

Much of the oral history of the Hebrew people was written down during the time the people of Judah were conquered. When the Persians conquered Babylonia, they let the Jews return to their old kingdom – where they re-built their temple (although still living under Persian control) When the Persians conquered Babylonia, they let the Jews return to their old kingdom – where they re-built their temple (although still living under Persian control)

This idea of Monotheism still influences and dominates many religions today The sacred book for Hebrews is the Torah (first 5 books of the bible) The sacred book for Hebrews is the Torah (first 5 books of the bible) 1. Genesis (creation, Abraham, and his descendants) 2. Exodus (leaving Egypt) 3. Leviticus 4. Numbers (Jewish laws and instruction) 5. Deuteronomy The oldest Torah stories we have come from the Dead Sea Scrolls (written about 800AD and just found in the 1100’s. The oldest Torah stories we have come from the Dead Sea Scrolls (written about 800AD and just found in the 1100’s.

Judaism Judaism World’s 8 th biggest religion (14-18 million) World’s 8 th biggest religion (14-18 million) Spread out around the world – many in Israel (40%), America (40%), Europe, Russia, etc… Spread out around the world – many in Israel (40%), America (40%), Europe, Russia, etc… Many still follow these old Hebrew rules and “laws” – as part of Abraham’s covenant and their faith that they are God’s chosen people Many still follow these old Hebrew rules and “laws” – as part of Abraham’s covenant and their faith that they are God’s chosen people