Introduction to Judaism

Two Rabbis

Shammai Strikes the

man with a rod

Hillel Says, “What is

hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man.”

Yahweh

Founder of the Arab people

Founder of the Hebrews

Islam Christianity

Judaism

Hagar -- Abraham -- Sarah | | Ishmael Isaac

Early History

Abraham – “Father of Judaism”2000 BCE

Abraham and his clan lived in Ur

He, his wife Sarah, and their family settled in Canaan.

Abraham had Two Sons

Ishmael was the firstborn

Ishmael was eventually abandoned in the wilderness, along with his mother.

Isaac was the second son.

Isaac’s son was Jacob, who was later named Israel.

Jacob’s 12 sons (and their families) migrated

into Egypt during a famine.

Eventually, their descendants were enslaved by the Egyptians and remained slaves for over 400 years.

Moses Hebrew who was

raised as an Egyptian Freed the Hebrews

from Egyptian captivity Received the 10

Commandments, from God, on Mount Sinai

First 5 about relationships

Last 5 about behavior

The Covenant = “the Chosen Ones”

God promised to help the people of Israel

The Israelites owed God obedience and worship in return.

Return to Canaan

After Moses’ death, Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan (Israel) in the 12th century BCE.

After Joshua, Israel was ruled by judges, but eventually Saul, a great warrior, was appointed king.

Covenant Broken

Saul told by God to kill ALL the Amalekites He spared the king and the best

animals God picked a new ruler, David

Conquered Jerusalem and united the tribes of Israel in 1000 BCE

David saw Bathsheba and had her husband killed

Oh David, What did you do?

David broke the Covenant First born son died Another son, Amnon, fell for his half

sister, Tamar, and raped her Another son, Absalom, murdered

Amnon Absalom died in battle David asked God for forgiveness and his

people suffered 3 days of pestilence Solomon followed David. 961 BCE

Solomon Known for his

wisdom. Built The

Temple of Jerusalem of which only one partial wall remains (The Wailing Wall).

Solomon broke the CovenantMultiple wives and worshipped other gods

The kingdom was split into 2 independent kingdoms North part became IsraelSouth part became Judah

Eventually, both kingdoms were conqueredIsrael fell to the Assyrians in 722 BCEJudah fell to Babylonians in 586 BCE

Religious Beliefs

Myth, Doctrine & Ethics

Myth

The Hebrew BibleTorah - First 5 Books of Moses Nevi’im – “prophets”Ketuvim – “scriptures”

Doctrine12th century list compiled by

Maimonides

1. The existence of God2. God is one and unique3. God is incorporeal 4. God is eternal5. God alone should be worshipped6. Belief in prophecy7. Moses was the greatest prophet

Doctrine

8. The Torah is divine and was given to Moses

9. The Torah will not be changed10. God knows the actions of man11. God will reward the good and

punish the wicked12. The Messiah will come13. The dead will be resurrected

Ethics Ethical Monotheism - God created

humans to make moral judgments in accordance with His teachings.

All people are equal and should be treated with dignity and respect.

The Jews believed their leaders were fully human and bound by God’s law.

Punishment was not related to social status.