1. Chapter 2
The Fertile Crescent

2. Section 5 Judaism

3. Judaism is…
Monotheistic – belief in one god

4. Israelites believe… God is present everywhere
Knows everything
Has complete power
God promised Abraham that his people would be kings and build nations
Covenant – binding agreement
Expected to follow God’s laws, be kind and just
Moses, Israelite leader who lived around 1200 B.C. – renewed covenant
God lead Israelites to Canaan “promised land”
They obey God faithfully

5. The heart of Judaism Ten Commandments Torah set other laws
Given to Moses by God
Set religious duties to God
Set rules for correct behavior
Torah set other laws
Deal with everyday matters
Deal with food preparation
Explained punishment of crimes and equal punishment
Call on leaders to carry out laws with mercy and justice
Torah is made up of 5 books:
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Christians adopted these books as the first 5 books of the Old Testament

6. What about Men & Women?
Men - head of family, owned his wife and children
Sold his daughter into marriage
Men could only seek divorce
One successful woman - a judge – Deborah
Later on, they were not allowed to take part in religious services

7. Prophets
Prophet - religious leader, told the Israelites what God wants them to do
Disobeying Gods law = disaster
Preached a code of moral behavior
Said all people are equal before God
Kings had to obey God’s laws

8. Moving yet again…
A.D. 135 Romans added to the diaspora - scattering of people - began by Assyrians and Chaldeans
Romans drove the Israelites out of their land
Scattered them to different parts of the world
Wherever they settled they preserved their heritage
Lived in close communities
Obeyed religious laws and their traditions
Celebrate Passover – freedom from slavery – Exodus from Egypt
Helped them get through harsh times

9. Influence on other religions
Has influenced Christianity and Islam
Same geographic region
Monotheistic
Honor Abraham, Moses, and other prophets
Same moral point of view

10. Elements