1. Overview of 3 Historical Periods and 3 Branches of Judaism
Unit 2 Judaism
Overview of 3 Historical Periods and 3 Branches of Judaism

2. Biblical Period 1800 BC – 323 BC Positive or Neutral Negative
Nomadic, settled Canaan, then Egypt, back to Canaan (Judea, Israel, Palestine)
Abraham- Father of Faith
Moses, sent by God to liberate/10C
Kings- Solomon- Temple (VERY IMPORTANT TO IDENTITY)
Prophets- Monotheism
Sin of idolatry
12 tribes divided- inner fighting
Conquered by many
Babylonian Exile (1st major diaspora)

3. Rabbinic or Classical Period 323 BC or BCE to 625 AD or CE
Negative
Positive or Neutral
Hellenization- some adopted Greek culture
Brief victory/Maccabees took Temple 165 CE or AD
Philo of Alexandria- integrates Greek philosophy
Rabbi’s, synagogues, and Sacred Scriptures important
(Time of Jesus and Christian persecution)
Conquered
Diaspora
Prohibited by some rulers of practicing faith
Temple taken over, then later destroyed in 70 CE Emperor Hadrian/ Shrine of Jupiter where Temple had been

4. Medieval Period 638 CE or AD – 1783 CE or AD TOO MUCH!
Negative
Positive or Neutral
Islam rules-Jews second class, eventually destroy, burn comminute
Persecution by most everyone! accused falsely of money lending abuses
Pogroms- massacres and expulsions in England and then beyond
Inquisition- convert of leave or be killed – Poverty- more Diaspora
Success in science, math, metal crafts philosophy, trade
Under Muslim Rule “protected people”- pay taxes- at first
Commentaries on Torah and Talmud, (Sacred Texts)
Moses Maimonides- harmony reason and faith

5. ORTHODOX Follow traditional Jewish laws
Live in close tight knit communities, marry within
Torah,from GOD- literally
Synagogue place of worship
Phylacteries – small box with verse from Torah
Orthodox Jews Praying
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

6. Conservative
Conserve some of the tradition, while accepting modern culture
Sees the Torah as authentic, and divine, but needs to be understood in modern context
Wants to keep traditional observances, but also adapts to circumstances.
Much closer to Orthodox than Reform
No cheeseburger with bacon
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

7. Reform Morality is the central concept- Focus on ethical teachings
Laws have to make sense in light of modern culture
Service more “modern”- with music
Women Rabbi’s
Most integrated into secular society
Kosher optional/ less strict
Tempel beth el
Photo from : jewish-san-antonio /