CHAPTER 2SECTION 3

The Hebrews and Judaism

Key Terms

JudaismTorahAbrahamCovenantPatriarchMoses ExodusDiasporaMonotheism

The Early Hebrews

Nomadic pastoralists2000-1500BC in

Fertile CrescentJudaism- laws and

requirements of their religion

Later formed the Hebrew and Christian Bible

The Early Hebrews

The Hebrew FathersTorah

The five books of early Hebrew history

Abraham- shepherd in Ur God told Abraham to

leave MesopotamiaCovenant-promised to

lead Abraham to a new land

The Early Hebrews

Canaan- was the promised land

Abraham Jacob was his

grandson Had 12 sons Ancestors of the 12

tribes Jacob called Israel Became the Israelites

The Early Hebrews

Patriarch- ancestral father

Israelites and modern Jews Consider Abraham His son Isaac Isaac's son Jacob

Israelites left Canaan for Egypt lived well Later became slaves

Moses and the Exodus

Bitter toil as slavesMoses

Born of an Israelite Raised in Pharaoh's

palace God spoke to him Went to Pharaoh for

release Pharaoh refused

Moses and the Exodus

Series of plagues hit Egypt

Exodus-Moses lead Israelites out of Egypt Proved God loved them Passover- special meal

in the spring Wandered desert for

years

Moses and the Exodus

Sinai Mountain God gave Moses the

ten commandments States only God exists Importance of self

control Israelis made a new

covenant Major influence on

Western civilization

The Promised Land

Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years

Land of milk and honey

Israelites battled to win back Canaan

Now called Israel

Kingdom of Israel

Settled in scattered communities

Organized by the 12 tribes

Deborah most effective judges said the Bible

Prophets carried the message of faith

Saul, David, Solomon

1000BC Philistines attacked

Saul- first king, good fighter

David Second king People loved him Strong king Israel grew Jerusalem became the

capitol

Saul, David, Solomon

Solomon Israel reached its

height Praised for his wisdom Traded with other

powers Became very rich Built a magnificent

temple

Division and Conquest

After Solomon’s death Ten tribes formed Israel Two tribes formed Judah Israel fell to the

Assyrians Judah to the Chaldeans Destroyed the temple

Brought thousands of Jews to Babylon

Diaspora-the scattering of the Jews outside Judah

Teachings of Judaism

Belief in One God Monotheistic Most ancient world

was not World’s first

monotheistic religion

Justice and Righteousness

Treating people with kindness

Doing what is rightEmphasis on

righteousnessStrong code of ethicsThis tradition later

carried to ChristianityJudeo-Christian Ethic

Obedience to Law

Most important laws Ten commandments

Mosaic Law Guides many areas of

Jewish life How and when to

worship Limits the food eaten How foods are prepared Today food prepared

this way is called kosher

Jewish Sacred Texts

Most sacred is the Torah First part of Hebrew

Bible Early prophets Writing that contain

lessonsTalmud

Written over the centuries

Explains and interprets other texts

Helps Jews stay united