1. Religion: Southwest Asia & Europe
Judaism (in 15 minutes)

2. Origins of Judaism
Geography: originates in SW Asia, between Mediterranean Sea and Jordan River
Oral tradition from 4000 years ago -- our copies of texts date to 500bce
Beliefs from the Hebrew Bible, or Torah:
Founder, Abraham & his descendants lead Jewish people (wandering herders) out of Mesopotamia…
…into “promised land” of Israel, on eastern shore of Mediterranean
Enslaved in Egypt  escape, then founding of Hebrew kingdom in Israel around 1000bce
Diaspora: spreading of Jewish people around the world after their kingdom was conquered
Jewish Jerusalem conquered, destroyed twice (Babylonians in 6th cent bce, Romans in 200 ce)
Jews  Middle East, Europe, Asia
Continues until modern-day country of Israel founded in (after WW1 & many other political events kick-start the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)

3. Beliefs of Judaism Jewish relationship to God
Judaism is monotheistic: belief in one god
God is more abstract, less human, omnipotent, just
God & Hebrews have a covenant: God takes care of “chosen people,” they stay devoted to one God
A Messiah will bring salvation to Israel, world peace
God sets high standards for ethical/moral behavior
Ten Commandments; 613 total mitzvot (commandments) in Torah (
Emphasis on social order, charity, social responsibility, the poor
Abrahamic religions: monotheistic, originate in W. Asia Judaism, Christianity, Islam (founded in that order)
Beliefs have similarities or overlap
Each recognizes Abraham as important (disagree about how)

4. Post-Classical Judaism
Europe
SW Asia of-the-world/classroom-news/unit3post- classicaleratheworldofislam