Download An Overview of Jewish History -1. 1. Why is the destruction of the

An Overview of Jewish History
1. Why is the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem a pivotal point in studying
Jewish history?
The destruction of the second temple of Jerusalem caused the beginning of the scattering of
the Jews throughout the world. This cause for the jewish religious law and history to be
written in order to survive.
2. What are the two periods that subdivide the time before the destruction of the
Second Temple?
First period is when they eventually find a homeland in Israel marked with the milestones of
establishing a kingly dynasty, a capital in Jerusalem, and a temple. A second period began in
the sixth century BCE when the kingdom of Judah and its first temple were destroyed and the
people were forced into exile.
3. What are the two periods that subdivide the time after the destruction of the Second
Temple?
The first one was initiate in the common era when the second temple was destroyed. This ended
the power of priesthood, whose sacrificial rituals were no longer possible, and religious moved
towards a greater focus on scripture. The final period is called Reform, which happened as
response to the European Enlightenment. It was an incentive to question and modernize
traditional Judaism.
The Hebrew Bible
1. Name the three sections of the Hebrew Bible and briefly describe the content of
each.
First is the Torah, the sacred core of five books containing stories of the Creation, Adam and Eve,
a Great Flood, the Hebrew patriarchs and matriarchs, and Moses, the great liberator and
lawgiver. It includes laws about religious ritual and daily conduct, including the Ten
Commandments. The second part is called the Prophets, after those people who spoke in
God's name to the Jewish people. The third part is called the Writings, which include a variety
of material, such as short stories, proverbs, poetry, and reflections on life.
2. What is the scholarly view regarding the exactness of the historical record depicted
in the Hebrew Bible?
There has been a lot of scientific evidence of archeology that confirms the accuracy of the
statements of the Hebrew Bible. Many liberal theologians ignore the evidence and are skeptic
of the occurrences.
Biblical History
In the Beginning: Stories of Origins
1. Describe the key points made in the story of origin.
The world is created by Elohim (god), by means of prayer in six days and the designation of
the seventh day as Sabbath., a hold day (set apart) from the rest. Man and woman are
created by God’s regents over his creations. God creating the first man, whom he form from
clay(or dust) and into whom he “breathes” and the Breath of life. The first woman is formed
from the side of the man.
The World of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs
1. Describe the call of Abraham and the promise made to him.
With the call of Abram, later named Abraham, God began a people whose descendants are
living in ethnic purity to this very day. God had promised him that he would send a delivered
to undo the cure of sin that befell the human race when Adam and Even sinned.
Moses and the Law
1. How did the Passover festival get its name?
When the Pharaoh refused to let the Lords people leave Egypt he placed upon
the Egyptians ten plagues. The last being that all of their firstborn would die. The
Israelite people were told to sprinkle the blood of a sacrificed animal on their door
frames and lintel. When G-d would come to smite the Egyptian firstborns, he would
see the blood on the doorpost and skip over that house. That's why it is called
passover. That is the same idea of the Hebrew name, Pesach, which means door.
2. What is the meaning of a covenant?
The general meaning of covenant is that of a pact, contract, arrangement or agreement. There are
two kinds: 1. Those between persons or people without a particular reference to god, and 2.
those issuing from God, or made with god.
3. Briefly state the first four of the Ten Commandments.
First: I am the Lord, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
slavery; and you shall have no other gods before me.
Second: You shall not have any other idols than God, nor should you bow down to them or
worship them.
Third: You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not
acquit anyone who misuses his name
Fourth: Remember Sabbath and keep it holy., for six dayd do all of your labor and work, but on
Sabbath you should not do any work at all.
4. Briefly state the rest of the Ten Commandments.
5th: Honor you father and your mother.
6th: you should nor murder
7th: you should not commit adultery
8th: you should not steal
9th: should shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10th: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male,
or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
The Judges and Kings
1. For what is King David noted?
He is noted for his diverse skilled as both a warrior and a writer of psalms.
2. Describe the accomplishments of King Solomon.
He built the first temple of Jerusalem, thus establishing the city not only as the political cpital of
the kingdom but also as the religious center of the People of Israel. He was known for building
the biggest ports.
3. What caused the division into two kingdoms after Solomon's death?
The people of ten tribes of Israel refused to accept the son of Solomon as King which is why the
kingdom split in two after the death of Solomon.
Exile and Captivity What significant changes occurred with the exile in Babylonia?
Changes to Hebrew alphabet and calendar and changes int eh fundamental practices and customs of
the Jewish religion.
Return to Jerusalem and the Second Temple
1. Under what circumstances were the Jews allowed to return to their homeland?
They returned under the Law of Return which gives Jews the right of return and settlement in
Israel and gain citizenship. The right of entry and settlement was extended to people of Jewish
ancestry and their spouses. However, some people could be excluded if they were considered
to be a danger to Israel’s welfare.
Cultural Conflict during the Second-Temple Era
The Seleucid Period
Responses to Outside Influences
1. Who were the Sadducees and what were their views?
The Sadducees were a sect of group of jews that were active in Ancient Israel during the Second
Temple perios. Their sect believed that there is no fate; god does not commit evil, man has
free will; the soul is immortal, there is no afterlife, and there are no rewards or penalties after
death.
2. Describe Pharisee concerns.
They were largely dictated by economic and social concerns. They were very religious in
nature.
3. What was the Zealot view?
They were originally a political movement who rebelled against eh Roman Empire and expel it
from the Holy land by force of army. They were zealous on behalf of God. They did everything
for god.
4. Describe the practices and views of the Essenes.
They shared their possessions, lived by agriculture and handicrafts, rejected slavery, and believed
in the immortality of the soul. Their meals were solemn community affairs. They opposed
marriage. They had regular prayer and study sessions. Transgressors were excluded from the
sect.
5. What has been the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls thus far?
Probably the Dead Sea Scrolls have had the greatest Biblical impact. They have provided Old
Testament manuscripts approximately 1,000 years older than our previous oldest manuscript.
The Dead Sea Scrolls have demonstrated that the Old Testament was accurately transmitted
during this interval. In addition, they provide a wealth of information on the times leading up
to, and during, the life of Christ.
The Development of Rabbinical Judaism
Describe the two major effects of the destruction of the
Jerusalem Temple.
The separation of the jews throughout the world and the creation of different sects.
The Canon of Scripture and the Talmud
1. How does tradition describe the events that established the Hebrew Scriptures?
They describe them as ways of bringing salvation to the world and bringing people into an era or
righteousness.
2. What are some of the interpretive works that came after the formation of the canon?
Religious Practice
Holy Days
1. What are the High Holy Days and how are they kept?
Nisan 15- the day after Passover.
Shavi’ot – 50 days from the Sunday that followe Passover
Tishri – the first day of the second day long feast of tabernacles.
During their holidays they do not work and they emphasize cleanliness .
2. Describe the celebration of Hanukkah and its origins.
Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev
according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late
December in the Gregorian calendar.
The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the ninebranched Menorah or Hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing
to eight on the final night. The typical Menorah consists of 8 branches with an additional raised
branch. The extra light is called a shamash "attendant" or "sexton" and is given a distinct
location, usually above or below the rest. The purpose of the shamash is to have a light
available for use, as using the Hanukkah lights themselves is forbidden
3. Explain some of the features of the Seder meal observed during Passover.
Seder plate: which has 6 different type of food that reflect a special significance to the sotry
of the exodous from Egypt, which is the spotlight of their ritual dinner. Items: Maro&
Chazered, Charoset, Karpas, Zeroah, Beitzah.
Jewish Dietary Practices What are the dietary practices and restrictions of traditional
Judaism?
They eat kosher food, ritually slaughteres beef, sheep, goats, deer with no diseases. Salmon, tune,
car. Meat is eaten separately from dairy. Soft chees and kosher hard cheese.
Divisions within Contemporary Judaism
Culturally Based Divisions
1. Who are the Sephardic Jews?
Jews descended from Jews of the Iberian Peninsula before their explusion. For particularly
religious purposes, they are Jews who use the Sephardic style of liturgy and define themselves
of the Hewish customs and traditions which originated in the IberianP eninsula.
2. Who are the Ashkenazic Jews?
They are jews descended from the medieval Jewish communities along the Rhine in Germany.
They were named after the region of Germany at that time. they refer to both family ancestry
and to a body of customs binding on Jews of that ancestry
3. What are some of the other smaller Jewish cultures?
Shephardim and Mizrahim.
Observance-Based Divisions
1. What are some of the defining characteristics of Orthodox Judaism?
They believe that their practice and belief are the only true heir of the Jewish tradition.
They believe other denomination of Judaism to be heretical and they both have a strong faith in
oral Torah.
2. How is Conservative Judaism characterized?
Conservative Jews have varied belief about god, there is no one mandate about what the god
is, but they are monotheist
3. What are the features of Reform Judaism?
Reform Judaism believe that the religion should adapt to the modern time that the Jewish laws are
more of guideline than list of restriction with literal meanings
4. Describe Reconstructionist Judaism.
Reconstructive Judaism argue that the religion is the result of social progress it is the product of
human civilization to encourage moral discipline