BELLRINGER: 10/7 and 10/8 1. Pick up the papers by the door. 2. There should be at least FOUR (4) people sitting at each table. Only then can there be a 5 th person added. 3. On a piece of notebook paper, list two accomplishments from the Phoenician, the Hittite, and Assyrian civilizations.

AGENDA: 1. Bellringer 2. Notes: The Hebrews and Judaism 3. Project: Judaism Notebook

HOMEWORK: 1. Read pages in your textbook if you have not yet done so. 2. Study for your Peoples of the Mediterranean and Middle East Quiz on FRIDAY/TUESDAY (next class meeting). Review your notes and your textbook to prepare. 3. Work on your Judaism Project (due 10/16 by midnight via submission)

The Hebrews and Judaism

How Religion Began:  When religion first developed, most people believed in many gods (called polytheism). If you believe in many gods, you are polytheistic. If you believe in many gods, you are polytheistic. What previous civilizations have we studied that considered themselves polytheistic? What previous civilizations have we studied that considered themselves polytheistic?  Why so many gods? Often, there were gods for water, land, sea, air, and other natural forces. Often, there were gods for water, land, sea, air, and other natural forces. Egyptian gods and goddesses

Hebrew conception of God Polytheistic view God is universal and is superior to nature. Nature is not to be worshiped but is part of God’s creation. Gods are limited to specific locations and to nature. Forces of nature were worshipped as gods. God is eternal. Gods were created and may be destroyed. God is subject to nothing. He is supreme. Gods were subject to human needs and desires: hunger, pain, illness… Judaism vs. Polytheism

The Origins of Judaism  The area of Palestine (Canaan) was the ancient home of the Hebrews. It was a “crossroad to the ancient world” It was a “crossroad to the ancient world”  According to the Bible, Canaan = promised to the Hebrews.

Origins of Judaism (cont’d)  However, there was one early religion that did away with many gods in exchange for one all-powerful god.  The Hebrew people believed in only one god, called Yahweh. Means Hebrews were monotheistic, as they believed in only one god. Means Hebrews were monotheistic, as they believed in only one god. The first monotheistic religion in history The first monotheistic religion in history

The Story of the Hebrews So how does the monotheistic Jewish religion emerge? Around 1800 BCE, there is a man named Abraham Around 1800 BCE, there is a man named Abraham He lived in Sumer, in Ur (a city-state). He lived in Sumer, in Ur (a city-state). Abraham says no to polytheism Abraham says no to polytheism Rejected polytheism practiced by the Sumerians Rejected polytheism practiced by the Sumerians Believed in only one god which he called Yahweh. Believed in only one god which he called Yahweh.

The Story of the Hebrews (cont’d): Abraham made an agreement (covenant) with Yahweh: Abraham made an agreement (covenant) with Yahweh: Abraham = agrees to obey Yahweh Abraham = agrees to obey Yahweh Yahweh = will protect Abraham and his descendants (the Jewish people) Yahweh = will protect Abraham and his descendants (the Jewish people) Yahweh commanded Abraham to move his family Yahweh commanded Abraham to move his family Mesopotamia (Ur)  Canaan. Mesopotamia (Ur)  Canaan. Fun fact: Canaan means “promise land”. Fun fact: Canaan means “promise land”. Canaan is in modern-day Palestine. Canaan is in modern-day Palestine.

Hebrews Leaving Canaan  1650 B.C.: Hebrew people are forced to leave Canaan Why? famine and drought Why? famine and drought  Where do they go? Go west to Egypt, where they were welcomed as neighbors Go west to Egypt, where they were welcomed as neighbors  Friendship turns sour  Eventually Egyptians enslaved Hebrews Eventually Egyptians enslaved Hebrews

The Rise of Moses  Who is Moses? Adopted member of the Egyptian royal family (found by an Egyptian princess as baby) Adopted member of the Egyptian royal family (found by an Egyptian princess as baby) Raised unaware of Hebrew heritage = IMPORTANT!Raised unaware of Hebrew heritage = IMPORTANT! Once he learned of who he really was, he fought Egyptian leaders for the release of the Hebrews Once he learned of who he really was, he fought Egyptian leaders for the release of the Hebrews Happens after pharaoh orders all male Hebrew babies be killedHappens after pharaoh orders all male Hebrew babies be killed Frees Hebrews from their enslavement by the Egyptians Frees Hebrews from their enslavement by the Egyptians Then, the EXODUS HAPPENS Then, the EXODUS HAPPENS

The Exodus  Hebrews fled Egypt (the Exodus) Remembered during Passover Remembered during Passover

A New Covenant  Moses spoke with God at the top of Mt. Sinai.  When he came back down, he brought 10 Commandments. Became the basis for civil and religious laws of Judaism Became the basis for civil and religious laws of Judaism Hebrews believe the 10 Commandments formed a new covenant with God Hebrews believe the 10 Commandments formed a new covenant with God Ten Commandments Ten Commandments Ten Commandments Ten Commandments

The Torah  First 5 books of the Hebrew Bible (part of the Old Testament in the Christian faith)  God chose Abraham to be the “father” of the Hebrew people. Abraham a shepherd from Ur Abraham a shepherd from Ur

Wandering Days and Arrival in Canaan  Post-Exodus: The Jews wandered for 40 years in the Sinai Desert. (The Wandering Years)  After Moses dies, Hebrews returned to Canaan.  Constantly fought with the Philistines over land Only the beginning of conflict the Jews will find themselves involved in regarding their homeland in the Middle East Only the beginning of conflict the Jews will find themselves involved in regarding their homeland in the Middle East

System of Rule  When the tribes arrived in Canaan, they were loosely organized into 12 tribes.  The Tribes were self governing, but would come together during periods of fighting.

Kingdoms Established:  From B.C. the Hebrews united under 3 Kings: Saul, David, and Solomon. No longer city states but banded together under a single leader No longer city states but banded together under a single leader  New Kingdom was called Israel

1. Saul  Drove out the Philistines from the central hills of ancient Palestine

2. David  David united the tribes and established Jerusalem as the capital  Legend of David and Goliath

3. Solomon  Solomon beautified Jerusalem.  Built a great temple to house the Ark of the Covenant Contained the tablets of Moses' law Contained the tablets of Moses' law  After Solomon's death, the Kingdom splits into Israel and Judah.

Hebrew Downfall: Babylonian Captivity and Diaspora  Israel and Judah begin paying tribute to Assyria Assyrians eventually attack and destroy the capital of Israel. Assyrians eventually attack and destroy the capital of Israel.  The Babylonians destroy Judah.

Hebrew Downfall  King Nebuchadnezzar ran Egyptians out of Syria and ancient Palestine, and twice attacked Jerusalem. (586 B.C.) Destroyed Solomon’s temple (586 B.C.) Destroyed Solomon’s temple

Babylonian Captivity Babylonian Captivity

Jewish Diaspora

Judaism Project  For this project, you have the option of working independently or in groups of 2.  If you want to work in a group of 2, please find a partner now and sit next to them.

Judaism Project Rubric  5 points: Title slide (must include images, a clear title, and your names and block #)  5 points: Sources slide at the end of the presentation  10 points per page: 2 points: At least 2 images per page 2 points: At least 2 images per page 2 points: Basic information about the subject of that page 2 points: Basic information about the subject of that page 2 points: Additional information that goes beyond what was learned in class, found through additional research 2 points: Additional information that goes beyond what was learned in class, found through additional research 2 points: A quote about the subject of the page 2 points: A quote about the subject of the page 2 points: An explanation of what that quote means and how it relates 2 points: An explanation of what that quote means and how it relates