1. Beginnings of the Hebrew People
Chapter 6 Lesson 1
Beginnings of the Hebrew People

2. Objectives
Explain the significance of Abraham and Moses in Jewish history.
Describe the Exodus, and explain why it is important in Jewish history.

3. Vocabulary Judaism – religion of Jewish people
Monotheism – the concept of one god
Torah – oldest religious writings of Jewish people
Ten Commandments – two stone tablets carved with a set of laws
Covenant – special agreement
Plagues – disasters
Exodus - large movement of people

4. Background The Hebrews are the earliest ancestors of the Jewish people
Hebrews founded the religion “Judaism”
Judaism was first religion based on monotheism
The story of this is in the Torah (Hebrew Bible)
Story begins with Abraham.

5. Abraham “father of many”
Born in 2000 BC in Mesopotamia
According to the Hebrew bible, God spoke to Abraham and told him to leave and settle in Canaan with his family
Abraham, through his son Isaac, became known as the father of the Jewish people
He founded Judaism, the religion of the Jewish people.
Judaism was the first religion based on monotheism

6. The Israelites The Bible tells the story of Abraham’s descendents
Bible describes how famine struck Canaan and each of Jacob’s 12 sons led a separate tribe into Egypt
Israelites lived in Egypt for 400 years, part of the time as slaves

7. Moses and the Exodus
The Bible tells how the Israelites obtained freedom from Egypt
Bible describes how Moses guided the Israelites during the Exodus and how he received the Ten Commandments from God

9. Reading Check Questions
Why was the founding of Judaism significant?
Why did the Israelites move to Egypt?
Why were the Ten Commandments important to the Israelites?
Where and when was Moses and the Exodus?

10. Reading Check Answers Why was the founding of Judaism significant?
Judaism was the first religion based on monotheism which set down laws for humanity. These laws provide rules to help people live good lives.
Why did the Israelites move to Egypt?
There was a famine in Canaan.
Why were the Ten Commandments important to the Israelites?
They gave Israelites laws to live by.
Where and when was Moses and the Exodus?
Ancient Egypt 1300 BC

11. Homework and Practice
Beginnings of the Hebrew People worksheet.