Sacred Foundations
• Patriarchs
• Exodus
• Exile / Restoration
Patriarchs
• Abraham: Chosen by God
given 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”.
Covenant
Blessing 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