The Growth of Judaism

Growth of Judaism During their time in exile, the Israelite religion became known as Judaism During their time in exile, the Israelite religion became known as Judaism –Forced to live in a foreign land

Growth of Judaism While in Babylon, Jews met on the Sabbath While in Babylon, Jews met on the Sabbath –weekly day of worship These meetings took place at synagogues These meetings took place at synagogues –Jewish houses of worship

Why Did Jews Return to Judah? In the 500s BC, the Persians conquered the Chaldeans and took over Babylon In the 500s BC, the Persians conquered the Chaldeans and took over Babylon The Persian king allowed Jews to return to Judah The Persian king allowed Jews to return to Judah Some went back and rebuilt the temple Some went back and rebuilt the temple

Why Did Jews Return to Judah? Jews then wrote the five book of the Torah (writings of Moses) on parchment Jews then wrote the five book of the Torah (writings of Moses) on parchment –sewed them together –these and other writings would become the Hebrew Bible

What Is in the Hebrew Bible? Includes the 5 books of the Torah and 34 other books Includes the 5 books of the Torah and 34 other books –Describes events in Jewish history

The Jews Look to the Future Parts of the Bible described God’s plan for a peaceful future Parts of the Bible described God’s plan for a peaceful future The Jews believed that evil and suffering would eventually be replaced by goodness The Jews believed that evil and suffering would eventually be replaced by goodness

The Jews and the Greeks In 334 BC, Alexander the Great began taking over kingdoms around the Mediterranean In 334 BC, Alexander the Great began taking over kingdoms around the Mediterranean In 331, he defeated the Persians and Judah came under his control In 331, he defeated the Persians and Judah came under his control –Alexander introduced the Greek language and Greek ways to Judah

The Jews and the Greeks Jews that were outside of Judah were known as the Diaspora (Greek for “scattered”) Jews that were outside of Judah were known as the Diaspora (Greek for “scattered”) –They learned the Greek language and copied the Bible into Greek  This helped spread Jewish ideas to the non-Jewish world

Who were the Maccabees? In 168 BC, a Greek Ruler name Antiochus controlled Judah In 168 BC, a Greek Ruler name Antiochus controlled Judah –Tried to force Jews to worship Greek gods and goddesses

Who were the Maccabees? Under command of a priest names Judas Maccabeus, an army of Jews forced the Greeks out of Egypt. Under command of a priest names Judas Maccabeus, an army of Jews forced the Greeks out of Egypt. –They rid Judah of all gods and goddesses

Hanukkah Made the temple a worship place for the God of Israel alone Made the temple a worship place for the God of Israel alone Today, Jews celebrate Hanukkah to remember the cleansing of the temple Today, Jews celebrate Hanukkah to remember the cleansing of the temple

The Jews and Romans In 63 BC, the Romans took over Judah In 63 BC, the Romans took over Judah –Renamed it Judaea They allowed Jewish rulers to run Judaea (at first) They allowed Jewish rulers to run Judaea (at first)

The Rule of King Herod Herod was the king who ruled Judaea when Jesus was born Herod was the king who ruled Judaea when Jesus was born –Known for his cruelty After he died, the Romans replaced Herod with Roman officials After he died, the Romans replaced Herod with Roman officials

The Rule of King Herod One group of Jews was known as the Pharisees One group of Jews was known as the Pharisees –They taught the Torah and how to apply it to everyday life

The Rule of King Herod Another group, the Sadducees, were more concerned with how the Torah applied to priests Another group, the Sadducees, were more concerned with how the Torah applied to priests

Jewish Revolts During the AD 60s, Jewish hatred for Romans was at its peak During the AD 60s, Jewish hatred for Romans was at its peak A groups of Jews known as the Zealots revolted and drove the Romans out of Jerusalem A groups of Jews known as the Zealots revolted and drove the Romans out of Jerusalem

Jewish Revolts 4 years later, the Romans retook the city 4 years later, the Romans retook the city –They destroyed the temple  The Western Wall is all that remains today

Jewish Revolts The Jews revolted again in 132 AD, but were shut down easily The Jews revolted again in 132 AD, but were shut down easily –The Romans then forbade Jews from living or even visiting Jerusalem –They renamed it Palestine

Jewish Teachers The Jews no longer had priests, but instead they had rabbis The Jews no longer had priests, but instead they had rabbis –Teachers of the Torah Many rabbis founded Torah schools in order pass on its teachings Many rabbis founded Torah schools in order pass on its teachings In 1948 Palestine was divided and a new nation called Israel was created In 1948 Palestine was divided and a new nation called Israel was created