1. Principles of Judaism

2. I. A Migrating People I. A Migrating People A. About 2000 B.C. Abraham & family migrated & founded Israelite nation near E. Mediterranean. A. About 2000 B.C. Abraham & family migrated & founded Israelite nation near E. Mediterranean. B. Famine forced Israelites to migrate to Egypt B. Famine forced Israelites to migrate to Egypt 1. Were enslaved workers for next 400 years 1. Were enslaved workers for next 400 years 2. Moses led them out of Egypt 2. Moses led them out of Egypt 3. 1000 B.C. kingdom of 3. 1000 B.C. kingdom of Israel established. 4. United as a single 4. United as a single nation by David

3. C. Kingdom split 922 B.C. C. Kingdom split 922 B.C. 1. 586 B.C. Babylonia captured Judah –forced Israelites into exile. 1. 586 B.C. Babylonia captured Judah –forced Israelites into exile. 2. Years later freed by Persian ruler Cyrus, many returned to homeland. 2. Years later freed by Persian ruler Cyrus, many returned to homeland. Q: What role did migration play in the history of the Israelites?

4. II. Israelites Religion II. Israelites Religion A. Were monotheistic-believed in one God. A. Were monotheistic-believed in one God. 1. Believed they had a covenant with God 1. Believed they had a covenant with God 2. Must remain faithful & obedient to God 2. Must remain faithful & obedient to God B. Developed the Torah-record of God’s teachings. B. Developed the Torah-record of God’s teachings. 1. Torah consists of 5 books- 1. Torah consists of 5 books- 2. Book of Exodus contains story of the 10 commandments 2. Book of Exodus contains story of the 10 commandments C. Teachings set a strict moral standard for Jews. C. Teachings set a strict moral standard for Jews. Q: How did the Jews beliefs differ from those of other nearby peoples? Q: How did the Jews beliefs differ from those of other nearby peoples?

5. II. Law & Morality II. Law & Morality A. Concept of law was central to Israelites. A. Concept of law was central to Israelites. B. The Torah contains many laws B. The Torah contains many laws 1. Established moral principles 1. Established moral principles 2. 10 commandments –moral laws are the core of Judaism. 2. 10 commandments –moral laws are the core of Judaism. C. Seven Universal Laws C. Seven Universal Laws 1. Applied to all people-similar to 10 Commandments 1. Applied to all people-similar to 10 Commandments 2. Commands people to establish courts 2. Commands people to establish courts D. Prophets preached a strong code of ethics 1. Called on rich to help poor 2. Saw rulers as human, bound to obey God’s law Q: What is the source of basic moral laws that Jews must obey?

6. III. Diaspora (scattering of the Jews) III. Diaspora (scattering of the Jews) A. After Babylonian captivity, Jews migrated to various regions. A. After Babylonian captivity, Jews migrated to various regions. 1. New Jewish groups arose. 1. New Jewish groups arose. 2. One group followed Jesus and became a new religion: Christianity. 2. One group followed Jesus and became a new religion: Christianity. 3. Jews spread through Middle East 3. Jews spread through Middle East and Europe. 4. Israel remained center of culture 4. Israel remained center of culture and religion. and religion. Q: How did the scattering of the Jewish people begin? Q: How did the scattering of the Jewish people begin?