1. The Ancient Hebrews and the Origins of Judaism
I can explain the origins of Judaism and important figures of the Ancient Hebrews.

2. Jewish Population
World- 14 Million
U.S- 3 Million

3. The Torah
The Torah is a written explanation of the ancient Hebrews’ beliefs.

4. The Torah
Christians refer to the Jewish Bible as the Old Testament.

5. Abraham- Father of the Hebrews
According to Jewish belief, God promised Abram he would have many descendant.
God signified this promised by changing Abram’s name to Abraham.

6. Abraham- Father of the Hebrews
Abram was born in Ur (Mesopotamia/Iraq.)
The people of Ur worshiped many gods.
Abram believed there was only one true God (monotheism).

7. Abraham Father of the Hebrews
Abram gathered his many relatives and went west into the land of Canaan.
Canaan became the “Promise Land.”

8. Abraham Father of the Hebrews
The Torah says that one day God tested Abraham by telling him to make a sacrifice of his son Isaac.
According to the Torah God said, “I will make your descendants as many as the stars of heaven.”

9. Abraham- Father of the Hebrews
The Hebrew nation was made up of 12 tribes that were descended from Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, whom an angel from God had named Israel.

10. Abraham’s Contributions
1. He was the ancestor of the Jewish people (Israel.)
He introduced the belief in a single God (monotheism.)

11. Moses- Leader & Prophet
The Torah calls the flight from Egypt the Exodus.
The word exodus means departure.

12. Moses- Leader & Prophet
After leaving Egypt, the Torah says, the Hebrews wandered through a wilderness for 40 years.

13. Moses- Leader & Prophet
Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, the “Mountain of God.”

14. Moses- Leader & Prophet
Ark of the Covenant- the chest containing the Ten Commandments, that the Hebrews carried w/them during their wanderings in the wilderness.

15. Moses- Contributions 1. led the Exodus out of Egypt (Passover.)
2. gave Judaism its fundamental laws, Ten Commandments.
3. united Hebrews into united people devoted to one God.

16. Kings of Israel
King David unified Israel and Judah.

17. Kings of Israel
King David provide the Jewish people with a strong central government

18. Kings of Israel David chose the city of Jerusalem for his capital.
Jerusalem- Holy City

19. Destruction of Jerusalem
In 586 BCE the city was captured and destroyed by the Babylonians & King Nebuchadnezza. The Jewish people were taken into exile.