The History of Your People: An Abridged Version By Corey G. ‘14
Transcript
The History of Your People: An Abridged Version By Corey G.
14
Why? The tenth and eleventh grade Jewish History curricula
cover content in great breadth and depth, leaving you with a lot of
information to synthesize in the midst of your rigorous junior year
To aid in your understanding of the progression of Jewish History,
this presentation outlines the major eras and topics of study
within Jewish History
Some Terms Acculturation Accommodation Assimilation Responses
to Surrounding Culture Periodization Ancient Medieval Modern Post
Modern
Why Are We Starting Here? We only have one source for the time
leading up to this period: the Torah, the Five Books of Moshe This
poses various challenges to our academic understanding of ancient
Jewish history Benefits Challenges Starting point Preservation
provides evidence Insight into cultural/social norms Religious
information/Talmudic tradition Narrow window Lack of chronology
Interpretation Contradicts archeology Theology book Emotional
factor
Tenth Grade Curriculum The Divided Kingdoms and the Assyrians
to Jews and the Birth of Islam
Identify this Primary Source Includes the first mention of
Israel outside of the Tanakh, Haberew 1210 BCE This is the:
Merneptah Stele
http://mattakers.blogspot.com/2011/01/merneptah-stele.html
The Divided Kingdoms Israel had reached its zenith at the
beginning of King Solomons rule; the Temple had been built The
Israelites were divided in ancient Israel into twelve tribes which
owned pieces separate of land Solomons reign had inherent
difficulties He was the last king of the United Kingdom of Israel
922 BCE Solomons death 928 BCE Division of Kingdom
The Divided Kingdoms At the end of Solomons reign, the kingdoms
split Northern Kingdom: Kingdom of Israel Southern Kingdom: Kingdom
of Judah After invasions, attacks, and the division of the
kingdoms, the Ten Tribes were exiled and assimilated among other
peoples Beginning of diaspora Wikipedia
The Northern Kingdom and the Assyrians 738 BCE Assyrian King
conquers a civilization by Canaan; deports the native population of
dissenting thought and replaces these people with Assyrian
loyalists (population transfer of the periphery) This weakens the
chance of protests and rebellion, while diluting Israel 722 BCE
Northern Kingdom conquered by King Sargon II of Assyria; upper
class, women, and skilled workers deported The Assyrian imports and
lower class Jewish remnants were called Samaritans Those deported
either went to Judah or Assyria
The Southern Kingdom Deuteronomic reforms alter the practice of
Judaism Personal responsibility Sole loyalty to God Central
location for sacrifice Contrasts the pagan view of sacrifices Keeps
Jews focused on Judaism and sacrifices halakhic Hezekiah, the ruler
of Judah from 727 - 698 BCE, retains control despite the threat of
the Assyrians in the Northern Kingdom
The Fall of the Southern Kingdom Babylonia replaces Assyria as
the new world empire 597 BCE Jerusalem is captured, upper class is
exiled (first exile) and King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia puts in
place a vassal king, Tzidkiyah 586 BCE Judah revolts and the Temple
is destroyed by the Babylonians; Jerusalem emptied of Jews (second
exile) 582 BCE Gedaliah, the new governor, revives Jerusalem
economically, but is assassinated leading to the exile of the
remaining Jews (third exile)
Destruction & Exile: Beginning of Jewish Life in the
Diaspora Exiled Jews join emerging Jewish communities Leaders,
exiled before the rest of the population, have set up these
communities Diversified Jewish economy contributes to society Jews
embrace personal responsibility when it comes to practicing their
religion; they unite as they look toward the shared goal of a
future in Israel
Destruction & Exile: Beginning of Jewish Life in the
Diaspora 539 BCE Persia replaces Babylonia as the new world empire
Book of Esther may have occurred during this time (no corroborating
historical evidence) Cyrus presents a policy change; grants Jews
permission to return to Israel, however most are comfortable and
choose to remain in exile 516 BCE 70 years after Jeremiahs prophecy
in 586 BCE, the Second Temple is built Jews were autonomous in the
diaspora, yet secular rulers had connections to the Jewish
communities and often enforced Jewish law (corporatism)
Destruction & Exile: Beginning of Jewish Life in the
Diaspora Intermarriage first emerges as a problem in response to
the enticing Persian culture The Jews of Elephantine assimilate yet
remain connected to their Jewish roots; in their corporate
community structure, they embrace aspects of outside culture yet
remain connected to Israel from the diaspora
Hellenism 331 BCE Greece replaces Persia as the new world
power; Alexander the Great conquers Greeks impose rule and culture,
leading to hellenization Greek becomes the official language in
much of the territory Greek intellectual culture is enticing
(modern western world influenced by Graeco-Roman ideology)
Gymnasium demonstrates assimilation; circumcision contradicts the
cult of the body Seders demonstrate acculturation Jews must
determine how much of Greek culture they will embrace
The Septuagint Translation of the Torah into Greek Completed in
Alexandria, Egypt by 70 rabbis For Ptolemy IIs personal library
(supposedly) Some Jews embraced the assimilation and the Greek
culture/language while others believed that the Septuagint was
terrible for Jewish tradition
Jews During the Greek Empire Life in Judea Greek rule with
Jewish autonomy Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek were all spoken High
priest collected taxes Great influence of Hellenism Life in the
Diaspora Introduction of synagogues; new form of worship without
temple Increasing Jewish populations; Jews concentrated in some
areas
The Effect of Hellenism on Judea Factionalization of Jews
Embrace Greeks and Hellenism Hellenizers Upper Class City dwellers
Pious ones Hasidim Lower class Less urban
Judea Under Seleucid Rule 200 BCE Seleucids (Syrian Greeks)
take control of Judea Jason purchases his position of high priest;
Hellenization increasingly corrupts Jerusalem 175 BCE Antiochus IV
Epiphanes takes power New priest, Menelaus, replaces Jason and
steals Temple funds 168 BCE revolt is led by Jason, but it is
crushed by Antiochus; greater Greek scrutiny and encroachment on
autonomy; extreme outlawing of Jewish observance and practice
Maccabean Revolt Maccabean Revolt begins as a guerilla war For
the first time, Jews fight on Shabbat They chose to break
commandments, live, and win battles ( ) 166 BCE Mattathias is
killed in battle Judah takes command and leads the revolt into
Jerusalem Antiochus dies 164 BCE Maccabees win and retake the
Temple Idols and pagan objects removed from the Temple;
rededication Chanukah Story (rabbinic- miracle of oil, Book of
Maccabees military, Josephus religious freedoms) 160 BCE death of
Judah Maccabee in battle; Jonathan takes over; war with Greece NOT
OVER
Beginning of the Hasmonean Dynasty 5-7 years after the Chanukah
miracle the Greeks were defeated militarily Confluence of factors
allow for independence for Judea and the birth of the Hasmonean
Dynasty 1. Rome doesnt conquer but keeps Greeks in check through
sphere of influence 2. Breakup of Seleucid Empire into warring
factions 3. Maccabees (Judah, Jonathan) were especially strong
leaders 4. Growing population continually growing army Through
military victory and God said so Maccabean leaders established
their legitimacy Establishing your legitimacy does not mean you are
illegitimate! Mrs. Frank
The Hasmonean Dynasty 140 BCE - Simon becomes the founder of
the Hasmonean dynasty Hellenization continues; building campaigns
sweep Israel; coercive conversion campaign by Jews Hasmonean
leadership breaks with the people of Judea when Alexander Yonai
crucifies 800 Pharisees; corrupt Diaspora Jews remain connected to
Judea Encouraged Cleopatra to protect Judea and not alienate Jews
in Egypt 37 BCE - Civil war breaks out and Rome is invited in to
keep order; end of Hasmonean Dynasty
Meanwhile Jewish Sectarianism Different views of Judaism and
ways of accessing the Jewish establishment emerged From 2nd century
BCE to 2nd century CE Why? Period of transition and upheaval in
response to Hellenistic influences Urbanization leads to alienation
Problematic nature of Hasmonean leadership
Meanwhile Jewish Sectarianism Small, voluntary frameworks with
unique identities Urban, wealthy, educated people associated
themselves with sects (Jerusalem society) All sects were equally
passionate about Judaism Pharisees Progressive group of people
Forerunner of rabbinic Judaism Saducees Connected to the priestly
class Believed Pharisaic Judaism was wrong Essenes Emphasis on
holiness Communitarian rules Zealots grew to capture the majority
of the Jewish public opinion by the time of the Great Revolt
Dissatisfaction with Roman Rule 37 BCE - Herod ascended to the
throne, hated by Jews (b/c he kills wife and opposition) but
embraced by the secular population (building campaigns, strong
leader) Puppet ruler for Rome which has seized power Rules until he
dies in 4 CE Procurators reign after Herod; bought their positions
and were often corrupt Dissatisfaction with Roman procurator rule
led to increased Jewish zealotry
Meanwhile The Birth of Christianity During his lifetime, Jesus
was a Jew 30 CE Jesus was crucified (Christians blame San Hedrin,
however only Romans utilize capital punishment and Christ was
dangerous to Roman rule) A Jewish sect, Christianity, emerges with
innovations like baptism, proselytizing, and Graeco-Roman
influences Paul (5-67 CE) was the founder of normative
Christianity, a separate religion; innovations including Acceptance
by pagans and gentiles Freedom from Jewish law The New Covenant:
God has rejected the Jews and chosen the Christians New theology of
God: the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
Meanwhile The Birth of Christianity Religions of the Roman
Empire In 30 CE Normative Christianity grew quickly; it attracted
many because Baptism and faith were the only requirements Jewish
Pagan Christian Balanced between the more sophisticated monotheism
and the generally accepted paganism 30 CE first pope, St. Peter,
becomes spiritual head of the religion
The Revolt Against Rome 66-73 CE: Great Revolt 68 CE:
Destruction of Qumran 70 CE: Temple Destroyed Proximate cause:
Flavius, the emperor, disrespected Jewish sensibilities and a
priest refused to offer a sacrifice on his behalf Zealots supported
the revolt while the Pharisees were split After the revolt: 73 CE:
Masada Captured Jewish rule of Israel is over until 1948
Accommodation is the only way for Judaism to survive
A Departure from Temple Based Judaism Mourning for the Temple
must be permanent, but not constant Pharisees gain power as rabbis
become the prime leadership Judaism can no longer rely on the
Temple Shift to only synagogues portable Judaism
Dissatisfaction with Roman Rule 132-135 CE Bar Kochba Revolt
Causes: Hadrians rule was oppressive and the Jews situation led to
a messianic fervor Impact: the Jews managed to hold off the Romans
for a while and achieved some autonomy Ultimately the revolt
failed
Advances in Rabbinic Literature 220 CE Mishnah codified by
Rabbi Yehuda HaNasih He aimed to make a framework, not a complete,
definitive code, for Jews in the diaspora and for future
generations
The Early Church and the Jews Early Fourth Century CE Rome
adopts Christianity and Constantine moves the capital to
Constantinople Constantine kept Judaism a religio licita
(permitted) as Jews are needed for the Doctrine of the Witness
Evidence of Christian superiority Witnesses to the Bible and Jesus
Vulgate is a Latin translation of the Bible to further marginalize
the Jews 361-363 CE Julian the Apostle rejects Christianity and
wishes to return to paganism; strengthens the Jews to weaken
Christianity; perishes in a fire
Meanwhile Developments in the 5th Century Fifth century CE
Midrash put together; very important for diaspora Jewry as it
contributed to Oral Law and clarified aspects of Written Law
Midrash Aggadah: narrative expansions Midrash Halacha: laws and
legal notes 475-476 CE Germanic tribes and other eastern invaders
bring an end to the Roman Empire
Jews and the Birth of Islam Mohammed (572-632 CE) was born in
Mecca; he preaches monotheism Mohammed taught that the Torah is
distorted Islam descends from Ishmael instead of Yitzchak Judaism
and Islam share a similar calendar, law code, and are both strictly
monotheistic
Jews and the Birth of Islam Mohammed tries to convert Jews in
Mecca to Islam, prompting some to convert and others to leave Major
conflicts between religions even though Judaism aligns closer to
Islam than Christianity Torah corrupted? Land conflict 632 CE
Mohammed dies 638 CE Palestine becomes a Muslim territory 750 CE
Muslim empire expands from Persia to Spain
Jews Under the Islamic Empire Some Jews in Babylonia after the
first exile (these Jews created the Babylonian Talmud) A handful of
Jews were in Rome and would later settle in Europe Majority of Jews
are under Muslim rule Pact of Umar ensures minorities like Jews and
Christians safety and protection but requires that they stay
separate and quiet about their religions Dhimmi status allows Jews
to preserve their religion safely but assigns Jews second class
status
Eleventh Grade Curriculum Medieval Christendom to American
Jewish History
Jews in Medieval Christendom 10401105 Rashi, and French rabbi,
lived and contributed greatly to commentaries Jewish life
precarious under charters; life at the whim of the current ruler
Two periods of anti-Semitism in medieval Jewish history Up to 13th
century (Jews widely tolerated this) 13th to 15th centuries
(increasing due to political, economic, ecological stress) Blood
libels targeted Jews Accusations of host desecration Expulsion
Jews in Medieval Christendom Christians saw Jews as a necessary
witness (Doctrine of the Witness) of Gods New Covenant with the
Christians Jewish autonomy: Jews lived in a corporate unit while
struggling with rabbinic authority Dont tell them because they may
come to do wrong acts on purpose instead of by accident authority
was weak Cultural cross pollination between Jews and Christians
1290-1492 All of Western Europe [with the exception of Italy]
expelled Jews
Expulsions Sparked Jewish Migration Jews fled Central and
Western Europe Arrived in the Polish-Lithuanian Empire Arrived in
the Ottoman Empire
Jews in the Polish-Lithuanian Empire Conditions deteriorated in
Southern and Western Europe; after expulsion many fled to Poland
Polish nobles invited them to manage their estates Jews had strong
legal status in Poland; less precarious life Jewish life flourished
and Jews had autonomy Yiddish remained the predominant language
Minimal integration Council of Four Lands representative communal
organization 1648-1649 Chimielnicki massacres leads to the murder
of of the Jewish population in Poland Peasant uprising targeting
nobles
Meanwhile Jews Flee to the Ottoman Empire In Spain 1391 Pogrom
like attacks on Jews, sometimes forcing Jews to convert 1478
Spanish Inquisition targets New Christians (Jews who converted
insincerely) 1492 Alhambra Decree expels Jews from Spain; most go
to Portugal In Portugal 1497 Jews face forced coversion 1506
Conversos flee to the Ottoman Empire
Meanwhile Jews in the Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire, and
Islamic Empire, historically had good associations with the Jews
Jewish communities left to themselves Similar status to dhimmi
Great commercial freedom; religious autonomy Kabbalah emerges
Shabbetai Tzvi false messiah of the period; clear that he is false
when he dies
Era of Mercantilism 16th century early 18th century
Mercantilism the state exists to make money Jews start to return to
countries from which they were expelled Jews create successful
communities with some former conversos and some Ashkenazim; very
close knit and not integrated with other communities; only
economically integrated Relationship with State is good; see Jews
as useful and doesnt expel them any more; corporate community
structure
The Birth of Chassidism 1700-1760, in Poland BeSHT, a mystical
healer with revolutionary ideas, emerges in Poland and begins the
Chassidic movement Maggid of Mezrich, the BeSHTs student, sent out
disciples to attract people to Chassidism Emphasis on prayer, joy,
kindness toward fellow Jews, kavanah (intent with mitzvot), the
centrality of the rebbe, etc. After 1760, Mitnagdim emerge in
opposition to Chassidism; they felt that Chassidism was
anti-intellectual and anti-halakhic
Haskalah: The Jewish Enlightenment Transition between
mercantilist ideas (Jews are useful) to Enlightenment ideas (Jews
are human and have some intrinsic value) Early 18th mid 19th
centuries Only affected Germany and only spread among the elite and
well educated Yiddish was not accepted; only German and Hebrew
Later movement spreads Jewish enlightenment thought to Eastern
Europe in a different form Yiddish is adopted as Jews prefer it to
Russian and Hebrew is a dead language
Moses Mendelssohn Father of the Jewish enlightenment Encourages
Jews to modernize: Speak the vernacular (German) Have secular
educations Join accepted trades Be better, more loyal, more
integrated citizens of their states Declared that states had to be
more accepting of Jews in return (tolerance, humanism)
Meanwhile Colonial Jewry 1654-1820 1654 Recife 23; 23 Jews come
to the British North American colonies 1776 2000 Jews in the United
States High assimilation, low observance, pockets/communities
Primarily Sephardic
First Period of Emancipation 1750-1789 Pre-emancipatory period
Affected by Enlightenment ideas French Revolution occurs during
this time Rational humanitarianism is a belief that it is useful
for a society to enfranchise its members to create a productive
society; this led to emancipation
Second Period of Emancipation 1789-1871 Emancipatory period
Started with France and ended with Germany Non-Jewish enlightened
thinkers are reluctant to extend rights despite enlightenment
thought
Emancipation in France 1790 - Sephardim (seemingly more
sophisticated) are emancipated before Ashkenazim 1791 - Berr Isaac
Berr wrote A Letter to my Fellow Citizens telling the Ashkenazim of
Alsace Lorraine how to integrate to make the French like them;
actually targeted the French 1806 Napoleon convenes the Assembly of
Jewish Notables to answer 12 questions on behalf of the Jewish
community; sends a message to Napoleon, the French, the Jewish
people, and the world 1807 Napoleon convenes the Sanhedrin to
ratify the Assemblys answers, setting a standard for the
international Jewish community and yielding more control to
Napoleon
Emancipation in Germany To attain emancipation, Jews had to
become cultural Germans Religious reform Aesthetic organs,
vernacular sermons Ideological temples, removing Hebrew, Temple
references, sacrifice references, abandoning ritual halakha 1818
first Reform Temple: Hamburg Temple
Neo-Orthodoxy: A Reaction to Reform in Germany In Germany,
Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsch (1808-1888) led this new movement in
response to Reforms declaration that ritual law was no longer
binding Encouraged aesthetic reform and secular education Did not
encourage getting rid of messianism, abandoning Israel, removing
Hebrew
Incarceration in Russia 1796 Catherine creates the Pale of
Settlement to avoid integration with the Jews; here the Jews are
forced to lived 1827 cantonism, a policy of forced conscription for
Jews in the French army, led to many conversions and young Jews
dying Crown schools were created by the czars to appear as Jewish
day school but actually encourage assimilation and conversion Jews
were not welcome to integrate; did not want to integrate; were too
big of an impoverished population Led to the formation of political
movements like socialism, nationalism, and Eastern European Zionism
(1870s)
Third Period of Emancipation 1871-1945 Backlash period Jews
integrated but still not liked Resurgence of anti-Semitism in this
period 1881, Poland Alexander II assassinated and rumors blame
Jews, leading to pogroms prompts a massive migration of Eastern
European Jews west to the US and Palestine from 1881-1924 1894
Dreyfus Affair: French Jewish soldier unfairly convicted of treason
Inspires Herzel to push for a Jewish state because assimilation is
not working
Meanwhile German Migration 1820-1880 Population increases from
5,000 to 250,000 60% German, 40% Eastern European First rabbi,
rabbinical school (Hebrew Union College) Minimal rabbinic
authority
Meanwhile Eastern European Migration 1880-1924 Population
increases from 250,000 to 5.5 million Quota Act restricts vast
waves of immigrants Yiddish emerges in the US 1902 JTS founded 1916
YU founded
Emancipation Turns to AntiSemitism Turns to Nazism 1902
Protocols of the Elders of Zion: created by the Russian secret
police; a fake account of Jews planning to take over the world 1911
Bellis Affair: Jews is accused of ritually murdering a Christian
boy Western Europe Eastern Europe Created advocacy organizations
for Jews in trouble Lots of political activity Socialists Zionists
Anarchists Emigration in mass numbers Sent monetary aid to E.E.
Jews Wary that E.E. Jews status would jeopardize their status in
Western civilization
World War I August 1, 1914 November 11, 1918 1.5 million Jews
in armies across Europe Jews excited for war effort; excited to
show loyalty to countries
The Holocaust 1933 Hitler comes to power without being elected
by a majority; overstepped his authority November 9-10, 1938
Kristallnacht; The Night of the Broken Glass September 21, 1939
Heydrich Order calls for Jews to become concentrated in areas near
railroads for the purpose of deportation The Holocaust begins in
1939 1941-1942 The term final solution is used as extermination is
decided upon 1945 The Holocaust ends after 6 million Jews have
perished
Meanwhile Interwar & WWII Years 1924-1945 Jewish community
nervous by the tumult across seas In the US, Jews remain reasonably
comfortable and safe
The End Until the twelfth grade curriculum: Zionism &
Israel