1. The Hebrew People & the Beginning of Judaism

2. Abraham is thought of as the father of the Jewish (Hebrew) people. Abraham is thought of as the father of the Jewish (Hebrew) people. He was born in Sumer in Mesopotamia around 1800 B.C. He was born in Sumer in Mesopotamia around 1800 B.C. He rejected polytheism and idol worship. He rebelled and led followers into Canaan. He rejected polytheism and idol worship. He rebelled and led followers into Canaan. His descendants traveled even farther west into Egypt. His descendants traveled even farther west into Egypt.

3. The Hebrew (Jewish) people lived peacefully in Egypt for awhile. The Hebrew (Jewish) people lived peacefully in Egypt for awhile. However, when the Egyptians rebelled against the Hyksos in 1500 B.C., they enslaved the Jewish people for 400 years. However, when the Egyptians rebelled against the Hyksos in 1500 B.C., they enslaved the Jewish people for 400 years. "And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar and in brick..." (ref. Exodus.1:14) Quote from the Old Testament The first 5 books of the Old Testament make up the Torah, which is the sacred text of the Hebrew people.

4. A great leader named Moses led the Jewish people out of slavery and into the desert of the Sinai Peninsula. A great leader named Moses led the Jewish people out of slavery and into the desert of the Sinai Peninsula. In the Bible, it says that Moses climbed to the top of Mt. Sinai. He returned bearing the 10 Commandments that Yahweh revealed to him. In the Bible, it says that Moses climbed to the top of Mt. Sinai. He returned bearing the 10 Commandments that Yahweh revealed to him. Mt. Sinai

5. These were given to Moses on Mt. Sinai by the Hebrew God Yahweh. These were given to Moses on Mt. Sinai by the Hebrew God Yahweh. The first four are about God, and the other six are about man’s behavior. The first four are about God, and the other six are about man’s behavior. This is ethical monotheism. God is now very concerned about man’s righteous behavior; about whether man is good or evil. This is ethical monotheism. God is now very concerned about man’s righteous behavior; about whether man is good or evil. God does not want man to sacrifice animals or people. God also does not want man to worship religious idols (or statues). God does not want man to sacrifice animals or people. God also does not want man to worship religious idols (or statues). The 10 Commandments

6. When the Hebrews agreed to follow the 10 Commandments, they were agreeing to a covenant (solemn agreement). When the Hebrews agreed to follow the 10 Commandments, they were agreeing to a covenant (solemn agreement). God’s behavior is no longer unpredictable (like in Mesopotamia). Man knew what to expect, as long as they followed the 10 Commandments. God’s behavior is no longer unpredictable (like in Mesopotamia). Man knew what to expect, as long as they followed the 10 Commandments. Moses said that Canaan was the “promised land” and that Yahweh wanted them to create a holy nation there. So, they followed Moses toward Canaan. Moses said that Canaan was the “promised land” and that Yahweh wanted them to create a holy nation there. So, they followed Moses toward Canaan. It took a very long time to get there and they spent many years wandering in the desert. It took a very long time to get there and they spent many years wandering in the desert.

7. David captured Jerusalem and made it the Hebrew capital and religious center. David captured Jerusalem and made it the Hebrew capital and religious center. Around 722 B.C. the Assyrians invaded and conquered the Hebrew kingdom. Around 722 B.C. the Assyrians invaded and conquered the Hebrew kingdom. The Chaldeans also conquered them. The Chaldeans also conquered them. However, when the Persians invaded, they allowed the Hebrews to return and build a temple in Jerusalem. However, when the Persians invaded, they allowed the Hebrews to return and build a temple in Jerusalem. David, was the second king of the Jewish people.

8. Judaism is one of the three main monotheistic religions of the world today. Judaism is one of the three main monotheistic religions of the world today. Christianity, Islam and Judaism all consider the Old Testament a sacred religious text. Christianity, Islam and Judaism all consider the Old Testament a sacred religious text. Judaism changed religious thought in the following ways: Judaism changed religious thought in the following ways: God is no longer seen as human-like. God is no longer seen as human-like. Focus is on man’s behavior Focus is on man’s behavior Religion is less focused on religious rituals Religion is less focused on religious rituals The written word passes religious ideas down through generations The written word passes religious ideas down through generations