Download Aim: How can we characterize the early history and religion of the

Homework
• Test on Rome Friday. 40 multiple choice
questions. Review sheet due Friday.
• R-6 due Monday.
Aim #9: What were the most
important religious beliefs of
the Ancient Hebrews?
January 18, 2016
I. Early History
A. Abraham: Patriarch (founder) of the Hebrew/Jewish
people. God tells Abe to move from Mesopotamia to
Canaan (Palestine/present day Israel) around 2000 B.C.
B. Abe’s descendents move to Egypt in 1650 B.C. →
eventually enslaved → led to freedom and back to
Canaan by Moses (Exodus / celebrated on Passover).
C. Canaan was an independent kingdom for centuries, but
was eventually conquered by the Assyrians, Persians,
the Greeks and the Romans.
II. Beliefs of the Jewish People
A. Monotheism / View of God:
–
Believe in one god (Yahweh). The Jews
refuse to worship any other gods or political
leaders except Yahweh.
–
God created nature, but is not in nature.
How are these beliefs different from
other religions we have learned about?
Why could these beliefs lead to conflict
between the Jews and the Romans?
II. Beliefs of the Jewish People
B. Covenant:
– Agreement between God and the Jewish
people. In return for obeying God’s laws and
commandments, God will watch over them as
his “chosen people.”
What will happen if the Jews break God’s
laws?
II. Beliefs of the Jewish People
C. Law:
– Torah (holy book of the Jewish people)
– Ten Commandments (legal code)
All Jews could read and interpret the
Torah and Ten Commandments for
themselves. How does this make Judaism
different from other religions of this time
period?