Sacred Foundations

• Patriarchs

• Exodus

• Exile / Restoration

Patriarchs

• Abraham: Chosen by Godgiven promise of land and progeny

• Isaac• Jacob / Israel: has 12 sons

Judah Levi (priesthood) 10 others

become ancestors of the tribes of Israel

To Egypt

• Jacob/Israel and 12 sons end up in Egypt

• Egyptian get frightened of growing Israelite population,

• Israelites enslaved.

Exodus

Moses encounters YHWH.

• Moses confronts Pharaoh

• PASSOVER / PESACH

• Moses Leads people to Sinai / Horeb

Covenant “Brit”

1-God makes covenant with all people after flood.

2 a) Abraham: promise of land, descendents

b) Moses and Israelites

Sinai / Horeb

Covenant with Israel

• Agreement is contained in “TORAH” which means “instruction” or “Law”.

CovenantBlessing and Curses

• Obey to keep land of Canaan / Israel

• Disobey and be expelled, die.

Torah of Moses

– Ritual + Sacrifices

– Civil Laws

– Religious Obligations: no other gods, etc.

• Ark of the Covenant.

• Tabernacle (Portable Temple)

Torah establishes Jewish life

• Priesthood

• Rituals: Annual sacrifices / Festivals

• Traditions: – Circumcision– Kashrut: Food restrictions

– 613 Mitzvot (commandments) Mitzvah

Into the Land.

• Invasion

• Monarchy: to be like other nations.

• KING DAVID: First acceptable King.

• God gives David a promise: Heirs will have eternal rule if covenant obeyed.

Jerusalem

• City established as holiest site on earth

• Solomon builds temple there

Model of ancient Jerusalem

•

Israel splits up.

• Divided Monarchy – Israel (North) 10 tribal territories rebel.

• Samaria

• Falls 721 bce to Assyria

– Judah (South) • Jerusalem• Retains dynasty of David as kings

Exile

587 bce -538 bce: – Judah defeated by Babylon

– Judeans deported.

Second Temple Period• after 538 BCE

• Jerusalem rebuilt with Persian money

• “JUDAISM” = Religion of Judah.

DISPERSSION DIASPORA.

2nd Temple Period Ends 70 CE: Failure of rebellion against Rome.

HOW TO BE JEWISH WITHOUT JUDAH AND THE TEMPLE?

Hillel and Shammai looked for answers