1. The Ancient Hebrews and the Origins of Judaism: The Story of the Jews From the Jewish Perspective
History Alive
Chapter 11

2. Introduction
Hebrew civilization developed around B.C.E. to 70 C.E.
The Hebrews lived in Mesopotamia and moved to Canaan (modern- day Israel).
1. Where did the Hebrews originally come from?
2. Where did they move to?

3. Founders oF Judaism eventually became known as the Jews.
Judaism in the Jewish religion.
3. What do we call the Hebrew people today?
4. What is their religion called?

4. Torah – The holy Book of the Jews
It contains the basic laws for Jews
The word “Torah” Means “God’s teachings”
5. What is the Torah?
6. What is in the Torah that is so important to Jews?

5. First Five Books of the Hebrew Bible
The Torah is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible which also tell the history of the Jewish people
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
7. In addition to laws, what else is in the Torah?

6. Hebrew Leaders Whose Stories are Told in the Torah
Abraham
Moses
David
Solomon
Of these, Moses is considered to be the author of the Torah
8. Which of the Jewish leaders is the author of the Torah?

7. What we Know about the Ancient Hebrews

8. The Torah
The history of the Hebrews was originally an oral record (stories told by word of mouth) that was later recorded.
9. The Torah wasn’t written down at first, so how did Jews tell new generations about their stories and laws?

9. The Life of Abraham: Father of the Hebrews
Originally called Abram.
Lived in the city- state of Ur in Mesopotamia
Moved to Canaan.
10. Who is considered to be the “Father” of the Jews?
11. Where did he come from originally?

10. Abrahamic covenant
God promised to favor and protect Abram’s descendents meaning his children and the generations that would follow.
In return, Abram promised that his people would always devote themselves to God
12. What did God promise to Abraham?
13. What did Abraham have to promise to God?

11. God’s Promise
God said, “I will make your descendants as many as the stars of heaven.”
14. What does this simile mean?

12. Abraham’s sacrifice
God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his only son Isaac.
Abraham loved his son very much, but he also wanted to follow what God wanted him to do.
God stopped Abraham after realizing he was faithful and asked Abraham to sacrifice a ram instead.
15. What did God ask Abraham to do to show his faith in God?

13. Abraham’s Contributions
He introduced the belief in a single God.
Because of the Abrahamic covenant, he set the standard for how Jewish people should live.
Their reward for righteousness was a promised land in the Land of Canaan and what eventually became Israel.
16. Abraham is thought to have introduced what idea about religion?
17. What is the promised land God offered the Jews?

14. The Life of Moses Moses led the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt.
He gave the Hebrews the Ten Commandments.
18. After Abraham, who is the next main leader of the Jews?

15. The Exodus from Egypt
Due to famine (lack of food due to a lack of water for crops and animals) in 1250 B.C.E. a large group of Abraham’s descendants went to Egypt to live.
The Egyptians were afraid they would take over.
The pharaoh sent out a decree that all Hebrew boys should be killed.
19. Why were so many Jews in Egypt in 1250 B.C.E.?
20. What caused the Jews to want to flee from Egypt?

16. Moses – How He Became an Important Person in Egyptian Civilization
Moses’s mother made a basket for him and put him into the basket, so he would not be killed.
The pharaoh’s sister found him in the Nile River.

17. Moses
Moses was raised by the sister’s pharaoh in the palaces of Egypt.
21. How did Moses come to live with the family of Pharaoh?

18. Moses
After being kicked out of the royal family’s household, Moses encountered God in the desert in the form of a burning bush and God told him to set his people free and lead them back to the promised land.
Went before the pharaoh and told him that he wanted the Hebrews to be freed.
22. Why did Moses demand to the Pharaoh that the Jews be set free?

19. Ten Plagues
A plague is a terrible disaster affecting many people and thought to be sent by God as a punishment upon Egypt for keeping the Jews in slavery.

20. Ten Plagues
God punished Egypt with 10 plagues.

21. Last Plague
God sent a darkness to passover Egypt and kill the first born.
If the doorway was marked with lamb’s blood, then the first born would not be killed.

22. Ten Plagues

23. The pharoah’s first born son was killed
The pharaoh was so upset that he allowed the Hebrew slaves to be freed.

24. When Moses began to cross the red sea
The Pharaoh changed his mind and sent the Egyptian army to kill Moses and the Hebrews.
Moses then parted the Red Sea so the Hebrews could walk across.
24. What miracle did Moses perform to help the Jews escape?

25. Exodus Means the departure.
This story is found in Exodus in The Bible.

26. After Leaving Egypt
God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. The Ten Commandments were God’s Laws for the Jews for how they should live their lives. It was part of a new agreement with God and the Jews.

28. Ten Commandments Judaism’s basic laws.
By obeying the commandments the Hebrews would fulfill their part of the covenant with God.

29. Moses’s contributions to Judaism
Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt.
Moses received the The Ten Commandments which set up the fundamental laws of Judaism.

30. Where did the Hebrews go Next?

31. David Founds the Kingdom of Israel
In 1000 B.C.E., the Hebrews were fighting the Philistines.
Philistines promised to be slaves if one of the Hebrews could beat the giant Goliath.

32. David David was not a grown man. He stepped forward to fight.
He did not want to wear any armor or carry weapons.
He only carried a slingshot and some stones.

33. King Saul Is the King at the time.
He agrees to let David fight Goliath.

34. David Fights goliath
David used his slingshot and hit Goliath between the eyes with a stone, which killed Goliath.

35. David
United Israel and Judah into one kingdom known as Israel.

36. David Became a great leader.
He defeated the Philistines and other enemies.

37. David Choose Jerusalem as the capital city
David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.
Jerusalem became a Holy City.
26. Why is David important in Judaism?

38. Ark of the Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant was a wood and gold chest that held the Ten Commandments.

39. Solomon builds the Great Temple at Jerusalem
After David’s death his son Solomon, built a temple to house the Ark of the Covenant.

40. King Solomon’s Temple
Over 3,000 officials were needed to oversee the project.
Solomon taxed his people to buy gold, cedar wood, and other materials for the temples.

41. David and Solomon
Created a monarchy of Kings to rule the Jewish people for over 400 years.
David Established Jerusalem as a Holy City.
Solomon built the first great temple.
Solomon was known for his wisdom and writing several biblical books.
27. Why is Solomon important in Judaism?

42. The End