1. Jews in Palestine/Israel
Ancient Hebrews
Jews in Palestine/Israel

2. Specialized Workers
Abraham – a shepherd chosen by God to be the “father” or 1st of the Hebrew people according to the Torah.
Slaves – forced into slavery in Egypt. Later led out of slavery by Moses.
Settled herders, farmers and city dwellers.
Separate roles for men and women in society.
Religious teachers were called prophets

3. Complex Institutions God = Yahweh
Monotheism was unique to the Hebrews for the time.
Covenant made between Abraham and God – God protects them as long as they obey him.
Passover celebrates being freed from slavery.
Were originally organized into 12 tribes that were self -governing but during times of crisis would be led by Judges.
Tribes united under 3 kings – Saul, David and Solomon – formed kingdom of Israel.

4. Advanced Cities Ur – in Mesopotamia is where Abraham was born.
Abraham moved his people to Canaan.
Later, they moved to Egypt, then back to Canaan.
Jerusalem established under King David.

5. Advanced Technology
Learned iron smelting from neighboring peoples and produced iron tools and weapons.
Solomon built temple to hold the Ark of the Covenant, which held the tablets of Moses’ law.
Bronze used in building.

6. Record Keeping
Torah containing the teachings and history of the Hebrew people.
Ten Commandments – given to Moses by God – became basis of the civil and religious laws of Judaism.
Ideas influenced Christianity and Islam.
Taxes were used to pay for massive building projects.