The Growth of Judaism

 The Jews continue their religion during their Exile in Babylon.  Jews spread their beliefs to the Greek world and regain control of Judah.  Religion reshaped the Jewish way of Life.  Under Roman rule, the Jews were divided and rebellious. In response, the Romans destroyed the temple and exiled the Jews.

 Time in Babylon was known as an exile, meaning forced to leave their homeland.  Jews met each week on the Sabbath, a day of worship and rest, in a synagogue, or a house of worship  These weekly meetings gave the Jewish people hope.  REVIEW: Who exiled the Babylonians?

 During 500 b.c. Persians defeated the Chaldeans  Persian King Cyrus, allowed Jews to return to Judah, but did not allow the Jews to have their own government or kings.  Jews relied on religious leaders who began working on the 5 books of the Torah, later known as the Hebrew Bible

 34 books collected together recalling events throughout Jewish History  Ex. Genesis (Noah’s Ark)  Ex. Daniel & the Lions Den

 In 334 b.c. Alexander the Great defeated the Persians  Allowed Jews to stay in Judah, but started teaching Greek ways to the people  During this time, Jews were scattered all over Egypt, Babylon, etc ( known as the Diaspora)  Jews of the Diaspora led to Jewish ideas being spread around the Mediterranean world.

 In 168 b.c., Greek leaders began to force their religious beliefs on the Jews  A priest named Judas Macabeus rebelled, fled to the hills and formed an army  After many battles, the Macabees drove the Greeks out of Judah and destroyed all traces of Greek and reclaimed their church.  Every year this event is celebrated (Hanukkah)

 Family Life: Boys learned from father how to carry on family business; Girls learned how to run household from mother. (Book of Ruth)  Jewish Diet: Must eat certain animals and be cooked in specific ways. Called “Kosher”.  Jewish Clothing: Men wore tunics, women long simple dresses.

 In 63 b.c. the Romans conquered Judah  King Herod made additions to the Jewish temples in Jerusalem  After King Herod, Romans replaced Jewish King with Roman officials  Jews were divided into three groups on how to deal with Romans: ◦ Pharisees (Oral Traditions) ◦ Sadducees (Written law and Commandments) ◦ Essenes (Prayed and Waited for change)

 Jews hatred for Roman’s peaked  Waited for Messiah (deliverer from God)  The Zealots were a group of Jews who revolted and drove Romans out of Jerusalem  Only lasted 4 years until Romans took it back  Romans forbade Jews to live or even visit Jerusalem.  Renamed Judah Palestine

 Rabbis were teachers of the Torah  Famous Rabbi: Yohanan ben Zacca founded school that was center of Torah studies  Created Talmud which taught about all Jewish laws  2,000 years, Jews lived outside of Palestine  In 1947 Palestine was divided and in 1948 a new Jewish nation in Israel was created