1. Faith in the Middle East

2. Birthplace of 3 Monotheistic Religions...
Judaism - 4,000 years ago
Christianity - 33 AD
Islam AD
Ancient Religions of the ME
Polytheistic
Believed in forces in nature

3. Judaism Founded by Abraham - the patriarch
Based on Covenants (agreements) between the Hebrews and their God (Yahweh)

4. Three Major Covenants… Main beliefs of Judaism
Monotheism
- Hebrews are to worship one God - In return, God promises to bless and protect their descendants
“Promised Land”
- God promises a Jewish homeland
- Canaan - modern day Israel
Chosen People
- For worshiping him, God would protect the Hebrews

5. Major events in Hebrew History
Abraham & the Covenant
Isaac  Jacob  12 sons (Joseph)
Joseph sold to into slavery in Egypt
Famine …Jacob and his sons leave Canaan and relocate to Egypt
Hebrew people become slaves in Egypt
Moses frees the Jewish people…cross the Red Sea back to Canaan

6. Holy Books
- Torah – (First 5 books of Old Testament)
- Talmud - Teachings of Rabbis & Religious decisions
House of Worship - Temple
Holidays
- Hanukkah - Festival of Lights
- Rosh Hashanah - Jewish New Year
- Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement
- Passover
Holy Sites
- Tombs of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
- Western Wall (Wailing Wall) - remaining wall built by Jewish exiles in 536 BC

7. The Wailing Wall
Jerusalem, Israel

8. Foundations of Christianity
Canaan falls under Roman rule. Renamed Palestine
Jesus = Jewish carpenter
Preached throughout ancient Palestine
Followers believed he was the Messiah (deliver)

9. Death of Jesus Many Jews feared Jesus was a danger to stability
Did not want to upset the Romans Rulers
Romans crucified Jesus in 33 AD

10. Main Beliefs of Christianity
One, Merciful God
Jesus is the Son of God
Resurrection of Jesus
The death of Jesus atones for the sins of man  Kingdom of Heaven

11. Holy Book - Bible Old & New Testament
- N.T. - Life and teachings of Jesus
- Gospels -Mathew, Mark, Luke, John
House of Worship - Church
Holidays
- Christmas - Birth of Christ
- Good Friday - Death of Christ
- Easter Sunday - Christ rises from the Dead
Holy Sites
- Bethlehem - site of Christ’s birth
- Golgotha - site of Christ’s death
- Church of the Holy Sepulcher - site of Christ's burial

12. Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Jerusalem

13. Islam Islam - “to submit” to God
Teachings of God (Allah) through the prophet Muhammad
Muslims do NOT worship Muhammad - he is a messenger and a teacher
The Divine Chain
Muhammad last in the line of Prophets
Abraham / Moses / Jesus / Muhammad
Christians & Jews = “People of the Book”

14. Life of Muhammad Taught and preached in Mecca
Warned against worshiping many gods
Merchants in Mecca became angry (gained $ from pagan festivals)
622 AD Muhammad fled to Medina - from there the faith took root
Hejira - Journey from Mecca to Medina Start of the Islamic Calendar
Hajj – Journey from Medina BACK to Mecca Ends w/ smashing statues in Ka’bah

15. Main Beliefs 5 Pillars of Islam
Shahada - Declaration of Faith in Allah
Salat - Prayer towards Mecca 5x a day
Zakat - Charity
Swam - Fasting during the month of Ramadan
Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca
Jihad - Defense of Islam

16. Holy Book
- Koran
- Word of God spoken to Muhammad and translated into Arabic
House of Worship - Mosque
Holidays
- Ramadan - Month of Fasting
Holy Sites
- Ka’bah, Mecca
- Mosque of the Prophet, Medina
- Dome of Rock Mosque, Jerusalem

17. Ka’bah - Mecca
Dome of Rock, Jerusalem