1. The Hebrews & Judaism
Chapter 2

2. The Hebrews and Judaism
Main Idea
The ancient Hebrews and their religion, Judaism, have been a major influence on Western civilization.

3. The Early Hebrews
The Hebrews were the ancestors of the Jews, and most of what we know, including the laws and requirements of their religion, Judaism, comes from their later writings.
The Torah
Abraham, father of the Hebrews
God’s covenant – solemn promise
12 Tribes of Israel
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were patriarchs – ancestral fathers
Israelites in Egypt
Hebrew Fathers
Slaves in Egypt
Moses – Israelite leader raised in palace
Pharaoh, plagues
Exodus
Israelites out of Egypt
Passover
The Ten Commandments
Moses and Exodus
Israelites in desert
Canaan
Land of “milk and honey”
Israelites battled for land
Canaan = Israel
Promised Land

4. Key Events in Israelite History
Abraham traveled to Canaan, 1800 BC
Moses appeared among Hebrews in Egypt, 1200s BC
the Exodus
delivery of Ten Commandments to Moses
Hebrews wander desert for 40 years
invasion of Philistines to Israel, mid-1000s BC
Saul named first king of Israel, mid-1000s BC
David named second king of Israel, 1000 BC
Solomon named third king of Israel, 865 BC

5. Kings Saul, David, Solomon
The Kingdom of Israel
The Period of the Judges
In Canaan the Israelites lived in scattered communities.
Organized by Twelve tribes, but no central government. The judges enforce laws.
Prophets, holy men believed to carry messages from God, kept Israelites focused on faith
Israelites united against Philistines
Saul, first Israelite king
Never won full support
David, second king
Strong king, gifted poet
Solomon, David’s son
Israel reached height of wealth
Kings Saul, David, Solomon
Conflict after Solomon’s death
Two kingdoms, Israel and Judah
722 BC, Israel fell to Assyrians
586 BC, Judah fell to Chaldeans
Chaldeans enslaved Jews
Diaspora - scattering of Jews
Persians conquered Chaldeans
Division and Conquest

7. The Teachings of Judaism
Religion the foundation of Hebrew and Jewish societies
Monotheism - belief in one God
Justice and Righteousness
Kindness, fairness, code of ethics
Obedience to the Law
Ten Commandments, Mosaic Law
Jewish Sacred Texts
Torah, Talmud