The Early Hebrews

Judaism (Christianity comes from Judaism) The religion of the Hebrews and the oldest monotheistic religion. The Star of David Question: What does the Star of David represent? Answer: Through our long and often difficult history, we have come to the realization that our only hope is to place our trust in God. The Magen David (literally "Shield of David") has six-points, which symbolize that God rules over the universe and protects us from all six directions: North, South, East, West, Up and Down. A similar symbolism is found in reading the "Shema." ("Code of Jewish Law" O.C. 61:6)

Beginnings in Canaan and Egypt: Beginnings in Canaan and Egypt The Hebrew Bible traces the Hebrews back to a man named Abraham. According to the Hebrew Bible, God told Abraham to leave his home in Mesopotamia and take his family on a journey to the west. God promised to lead Abraham to a new land and make his descendants a mighty nation. Abraham left Mesopotamia and settled in Canaan.

The Exodus According to the Hebrew Bible, a leader named Moses appeared among the Hebrews in Egypt. In the 1200sBc, God told Moses to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. Moses led his people out of Egypt in a journey called the Exodus. For many years, the Hebrews wandered through the desert trying to return to Canaan. During this time, they reached a mountain named Sinai. Here, the Hebrew Bible claims, is where God gave Moses two stone tablets. On the tablets was written The Ten Commandments.

Other key word to know: Diaspora- The scattering of Jews outside the land of Canaan.

4 Basic Beliefs 4 Basics Beliefs: 1. Belief in God. Many people believe that Judaism was the world’s first monotheistic religion. The Hebrew name for god is Yahweh. Monotheism – The belief in only one god.

4 Basic Beliefs 2. Belief in Education 3. Belief in Justice and Righteousness This means kindness and fairness when dealing with everyone Righteousness refers to doing what is proper even if others around them are not.

4 Basic Beliefs 4. Belief in Obedience & Law The most important Jewish laws are the Ten Commandments The Moasic Laws also guide Jew’s lives. commandments.com/images/tencommandments_moses.gif

Jewish Texts The Torah - the most sacred text In addition to laws, the Torah includes a history of Jewish laws until the death of Moses. Nearly every synagogue or Jewish house of worship, has at least one Torah.

Judaism and Later Cultures For centuries, Jewish ideas have greatly influenced other cultures, especially those in Europe and the Americas. Historians call European and American cultures the Western World. Many Jewish ideas helped shape the largest religion of Western society today, Christianity. The United States today has a larger Jewish population that any other country in the world.

Jewish and Later Cultures Jesus, whose teachings are the basis of Christianity, was Jewish and many of his teaching reflect Jewish ideas. Judaism also influenced the development of another major religion, Islam. The first people to adopt Islam believed that they, like the Hebrews, were the descendants of Abraham.

Question… Why do you think that the Romans opposed Judaism so much?