Download The Beginning of Judaism

The Beginning of Judaism
Background Information: Information comes from the Hebrew
Bible, which is the Jewish people’s record of their history and their
religion. Religion is Judaism!
1st Book of Bible tells a story:
1) There was a family that lived in the Mesopotamian city-state of
UR. Everyone in the city of UR worshiped the Sumerian moon
goddess, except this particular family. These people were
Abraham and Sarah. The Lord told Abraham to go to Canaan. To
reach Canaan, they had to travel along trade routes that linked
major cities in the Fertile Crescent. When Abraham and Sarah
arrived in Canaan, God made a covenant (special agreement) with
Abraham. The covenant said, “The land belonged to Abraham and
God was their God.” *** BEGINNING OF JEWISH HISTORY!
-descendants of Abraham were known as Israelites, named after
Abraham’s grandson, Israel.
2) For a while, Abraham’s children and grandchildren prospered
as shepherds in Canaan UNTIL poor crops and hunger! They
decided to move to Egypt. At first, they were welcomed in Egypt.
Later, a new king came to power and made them slaves.
MOSES- Background: Born to Israelite parents and adopted by a
pharaoh’s daughter.
3) One day, Moses saw an Egyptian beating an Israelite. No one
was around. So, Moses killed the Egyptian and buried him in the
sand. Soon, the pharaoh found out and Moses was wanted for
murder. So, Moses fled to Midian. He stayed for years until God
came to him and said go to Egypt and free My people. So, Moses
went back to Egypt and, with the help of God, freed the Israelites.
Passover- celebration of the Israelites freedom from slavery
4) Moses led the Israelites to the wilderness of Eastern Egypt.
They stayed here for 40 years. During this time, they traveled to
Mount Sinai, where God gave Moses the Torah, first five books of
the Bible.
**Laws were similar to Hammurabi’s. Major difference- one GOD
only! (monotheism-worship of one God)
** Also in these laws were the Ten Commandments
5) After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites prepared to go
back to Canaan. Before Moses died, he said to the Israelites,
“These are the laws. Worship the lord forever.” After hearing
these words, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and entered
Canaan. They defeated several kings and set up the nation of
Israel.
**Torah: remember the Sabbath (weekly day of rest, prayer, and
study: Saturday)
6) Israel became a powerful kingdom under King David!
** King David made Jerusalem the capital
** Jerusalem became even more important when Solomon,
David’s son built a temple there.
7) Solomon dies. Israel splits into two kingdoms. North-conquered
by Assyrians. The South was called Judah (thus the name Jews).
Judah lasted until Babylonian armies destroyed Jerusalem and
Solomon’s temple. Many Jews were led to Babylon.
** Not the last time Jews will be exiled.
**Diaspora-scattering of Jews to many parts of the world