Judaism: Origins

A Brief History of the Jewish People

The Torah is made up of the first five books of the

Hebrew Bible.Who are the Hebrews?Not mentioned in recorded

history until 1200 BCE (Pharaoh Ramses’ reign)

Before this time: “Age of the Patriarchs”◦patriarch= men hold greatest legal and moral authority

THE PEOPLE OF THE BIBLICAL LANDS•Agricultural settlements along rivers (i.e., Nile)

•Most nomadic herders• sheep, camel,

goats

•Nomads travelled long distances throughout Southwest Asia (Middle East)

THE FATHER OF JUDAISM•Jews consider Abraham the father of their religion and people• ~4100 years

ago•Abraham born in Ur•His tribe was polytheistic•Migrated west to escape chaos• Tribal rivalries• Unrest in and

cities

THE COVENANT•According to the Bible, G-d angered by polytheism of His people•He “chose” Abraham to change these ways•Abraham’s promise to believe in one god (the Covenant), is the beginning of Judaism•To test Abraham’s faith, G-d told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac…G-d stopped him•Jews consider themselves the descendents of Abraham, through Isaac’s line

What important difference existed between the Israelites and those of nearby peoples? (Question #1)

What are the two declarations of the Covenant? (Question #5)

THE EXODUS•A second critical moment in Jewish history - Exodus from Egypt

•When? More than 3300 y. a.

•Moses (an Egyptian name) was living in exile, called upon by G-d to return to free the Hebrews

MOSES•While in exile, he came upon a burning bush one day—G-d spoke to him, asking him to return to Egypt to free the Hebrews

•He returns and informs the pharaoh that a series of plagues would descend upon Egypt

THE PLAGUESThe plagues in the Bible are:(Exodus 7:14-25) rivers and other water sources turned to blood killing all fish and other water life. (Exodus 8:1-8:15) amphibians (commonly believed to be frogs)(Exodus 8:16-19) lice or gnats(Exodus 8:20-30) beasts or flies(Exodus 9:1-7) disease on livestock(Exodus 9:8-12) unhealable boils(Exodus 9:13-35) hail mixed with fire(Exodus 10:1-20) locusts(Exodus 10:21-29) darkness(Exodus 11:1-12:36) death of the first-born of all Egyptian families.

Hebrews were spared most of the plagues; the Angel of Death passed over their homes if they had sacrificed a lamb and marked the doorpost with its blood

EXODUS•The Pharaoh relents and allows the Hebrews, led by Moses to leave on their terms•But the Pharaoh sends troops after the Hebrews; they escape after G-d parts the Red Sea•They travel across the Sinai Peninsula, eventually settling in near Mt. Sinai•Moses receives Ten Commandments

The 10 Commandments and the teachings of the prophets teach a strong code of ethics, or moral standards, for the followers of Judaism.

Describe some of the moral standards that you live by in your every day life.

A Captive People

DIASPORA OF THE JEWSBeginning with the Babylonian Captivity in 586 B.C.E., Jews began to move to different parts of the world◦Some were exiled◦Some moved to farthest regions of their

empires◦Others were discontent with political rulers

How were Jews able to maintain their identity despite being spread out? (Question #12)

How might this ability to maintain a strong identity have been a source of frustration for non-Jews?

How are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam similar? (Question #13)

Quick write:Using your new knowledge of Jewish

history, try to explain what caused the Jews to become a ‘persecuted people’ (such as the era of the Holocaust).

What percent (%) of religious hate-crimes do you think are committed against Jews in the U.S. each year?

Which religious group do you think is victimized the most by religious hate crime in the U.S.? Explain your choice.