Judaism

Overview of Judaism

• Beliefs•Where it began• Its history and

issues•Where it spread• Its influence

Beliefs of Judaism

• One god (monotheism)—Yahweh• Education and study• Justice and righteousness• Obedience and law

Jewish Texts

• The Torah• The Hebrew Bible•Commentaries

Where Judaism Began

Jewish History—Timeline

c. 2000 BCE Abraham 1200s BCE MosesExodus

Jewish History—Timeline

c. 1050–586 BCE Kingdomsc. 1050–950 BCEKings of united Israel:

Saul, David, Solomon c. 930 BCE Kingdom divides c. 722 BCE Northern kingdom

conquered 586 BCE Southern kingdom

conquered

Jewish History—Timeline

530s BCE Jews return under foreign control

160s–63 BCE Maccabees—independent 63 BCE Conquered by Romans

66–70 CE Revolt, removal, migration

Jewish History—Timeline

c. 900–1100s CE Golden Age of Jews in Spain 1200s–1492 CE Expelled from parts of western

Europe, eventually Spain too 1890s CE Beginning of Zionist movement

Jewish History—Timeline

1930s–1945 Persecution by Nazis and Holocaust

Jewish History—Timeline

1948 Establishment of modern Israel

Where Judaism Spread

Where Judaism Spread

Where Judaism Spread

Why study Judaism?

1. Christianity: 2.1 billion2. Islam: 1.5 billion4. Hinduism: 900 million6. Buddhism: 376 million12. Judaism: 14 million

Why study Judaism?Because of its influence.

• Jewish ideas helped to shape Christianity• Judaism influenced development of Islam• Jewish ideas widespread• Key ideas entered Western culture through

Judaism• USA 2nd only to Israel in number of Jews

• USA 2nd only to Israel in number of Jews