1. Origins of Judaism
Sec 4

2. Background
Judaism is the oldest known monotheistic, belief in a single god, religion still practiced in the world today.
Yahweh- Hebrew name for God
Its fundamental teachings have been influential and are the basis for more recently developed religions such as Christianity and Islam.

3. Torah
Most of what we know about Hebrew history is contained in the first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible, the Torah
Christians respect the Torah as part of the Old Testament
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

4. Founders of Judaism
Abraham- chosen by God to be “father” of the Hebrew people, considered one of the founders of Judaism
Abraham was a shepherd who lived in the city of Ur in Mesopotamia
Book of Genesis says that God told Abraham to move his people to Canaan
Believed to be around 1800 BC

7. Covenant
Covenant- mutual promise between God and the Hebrews. God would protect the Hebrews as long as they obeyed him

8. Moses and the Exodus Around 1650 BC, the Hebrews moved to Egypt
At first they were given places of honor but later they were forced into slavery
The Exodus- between 1300 and 1200 BC the Hebrews fled from Egypt led by Moses
Exodus is celebrated during Passover

10. Moses Moses- man who led the Hebrews out of slavery
Ten Commandments- basis for civil and religious laws of Judaism
New Covenant- God will protect the Hebrews and they will obey the Ten Commandments

12. 10 Commandments YouTube - Moses - Ten Commandments

13. Land and People of the Bible
After escaping Egypt the Hebrews wandered the desert for 40 years
Eventually returned to Canaan where Abraham was from
Loosely organized into 12 tribes that would unite in times of trouble

14. Hebrew Law
Ten Commandments were part of a code of laws delivered to Moses that included other rules regarding social and religious behavior
Similar to Hammurabi’s Code in some ways
Goal of Judaism is to live a moral life in accordance with God’s laws

15. Kingdom of Israel
Eventually only the tribe of Judah was left out of the 12 tribes, as a result Hebrews became known as Jews and their religions Judaism
From about 1020 to 922 BC the Hebrews united under 3 able kings, Saul, David, and Solomon
The new kingdom was Israel

16. King Solomon King Solomon was the most powerful of the Hebrew kings
He extended the kingdom’s trade, beautified Jerusalem, built a temple
By 922 BC the kingdom was stressed by high taxes and forced labor on the temple and split into 2 kingdoms upon Solomon’s death
Israel in the north and Judah in the south

19. Foreign Rule In 722 BC the Assyrians took control of Israel
Judah held out for 150 years but eventually fell to the Babylonians who destroyed the temple in 586 BC
In 539 BC the Persians took control and allowed the Hebrews to return to Jerusalem
Soon other empires took control of the region- Persians, Greeks, Romans