1. Hebrew beginnings, beliefs, customs, and traditions

2. Origins Abraham is considered the father of Judaism
Born around 1800 BCE in Ur in Babylonia
Began to believe in one god instead of the many gods worshipped throughout Mesopotamia
*Monotheism!*

4. Origins Abraham makes a covenant, or agreement, with God
If Abraham will obey his commands and leave his home and family, God will bless and protect him
Abraham has two children, his son Isaac becomes the first generation in the covenant, Isaac’s grandchildren found the 12 tribes of Israel
God tests Abraham’s devotion

5. The Covenant
The Hebrews believed they were God’s (Yahweh)chosen people because of the covenant with Abraham
Semi-nomadic lifestyle leads them to settle in Egypt
Enslaved in Egypt and are led out of slavery by Moses
The Exodus

6. The Search for a Promised LandUR
Canaan 1800 bc
Egypt 1650 bc
Exodus to Sinai Peninsula
Canaan
Lived in the Fertile Crescent
word Canaan refers to Ancient Palestine
Abraham led the people to Canaan and his descendents led the people to Egypt

7. The Ten Commandments Moses receives the Torah from God
Includes the Ten Commandments
Ten Commandments become the basis for code of ethical behavior
...if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine, and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation...

8. Sacred Texts The Torah The Talmud
First five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) and the rest of the Tanakh
“Old Testament” to Christians
The Talmud
The “oral Torah,” which interprets the Torah

9. Important figures Prophets are God’s spokespeople Abraham Moses
Can be male or female, Jewish or non-Jewish
Seen throughout the Torah
Abraham
covenant
Moses
Exodus, 10 Commandments

10. Important Figures Saul David Solomon First king of Israel
King of Israel, warrior and prophet
Solomon
David’s son, king of Israel
Makes Jerusalem the capital of Israel
Holy Temple on Mount Moriah (Solomon’s Temple)

11. Important People
David the humble shepherd who defeated Philistine warrior Goliath and later became a strong king
Saul, David and Solomon united Hebrews under a new kingdom called Israel.

12. Important People cont.
Solomon made Jerusalem into an impressive capital
Most powerful
In the Bible, Solomon prays to God for an understanding mind, which God grants him.
Soon after, the story goes, two women and a baby boy were brought before him. Each woman claimed the baby was hers. After hearing their testimony, Solomon declared “Divide the living boy in two, then give half to one and half to the other. One said, “Please my lord, give her the living boy, certainly do not kill him.” However, the other woman accepted “It shall be neither mine nor yours, divide it” Solomon knew that the woman who would give up the child to save it was the real mother.

13. Kingdom of Israel
Around 920 BCE: Kingdom splits into Israel in North and Judah in South

14. End of the Kingdom 722 BCE Israel fell to Assyrians
600 BCE: Temple of Solomon destroyed
586 BCE Judah fell to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar forced Hebrews into exile. During this time they became known as Jews.