Origins of Judaism
Introduction
Israelites lived northeast of Egypt-later group was called Jews
Jewish civilization developed after 1800 BCE
Group originally lived in Mesopotamia, 1950 BCE moved to Canaan
Israelites also called Hebrews, ancestors of Jewish people
Judaism is the religion of Jewish people, and one of world’s most influential religious traditions
Origins of Judaism and basic teachings and laws are recorded in sacred text called the Torah,
which means “teaching”
Torah consists of first five books of Hebrew Bible
Hebrew Bible also contains two collections of texts called Prophets and the Writings
Christians use a version of Hebrew Bible as their Old Testament
Ancient Israelites
Torah contains ancient written records and teachings of the Jews, contains 613 commandments
that direct moral and religious conduct
Most history handed down orally in the beginning, later written down
Historians also study ancient artifacts to learn about the Jews
Ancestor of the Israelites was Abraham, lived in Ur in Mesopotamia, around 1950 BCE Abraham
and family migrated to Canaan to herd sheep and goats
Around 1800 BCE famine forced many of the Israelites to flee to Egypt, for a while they
prospered but eventually were enslaved
In time, leader by the name of Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt-Torah states that they
wandered in the desert for 40 years before settling in Canaan
1000 BCE, Israelites set up kingdom of Israel in Canaan
Israel ruled by King David then his son King Solomon. David united Israelites; Solomon built
magnificent temple-in 930 BCE when Solomon died kingdom divided into two-Israel in the
north and Judah in the south
Important Jewish Leaders
Abraham-“father of the Jews”, introduced idea of belief in a single God
According to Torah, God spoke to Abraham telling him to move his family to Canaan-his
descendants became known as Jewish people
Moses-greatest leader of the Israelites, known for leading his people out of slavery in Egypt
Moses also gave Judaism basic teachings-Torah states God gave Moses 10 important
commandments, engraved on two stone tablets-books of the Torah also called Five Books of
Moses
Kings David and Solomon-after returning to Canaan a united kingdom was formed called Israel
Jerusalem established as a holy city and capital of Israel—Solomon built Jerusalem’s great First
Temple
The city and the Temple became powerful symbols of the Jews faith in God
Major Events in Jewish History
Faith began with covenant (agreement or promise) between God and Abram
Abram received two promises from God-1st-Abram was 50 told to leave Ur and move to Canaan
2nd-Abram was 99 God gave him name Abraham (father of many) also allowed him to become a
father son Isaac
Exodus-means departure described escape from slavery by Egyptians led by Moses
Ten Commandments given to Moses from God 10 duties to God
David-helped Israelites against Philistines-giant Goliath; later named King contributed to
Hebrew Bible by writing many of the Psalms
965 BCE Solomon, son of David, became King built Temple to house Ark of the Covenant which
houses the Ten Commandments
After kingdom was divided, Israel taken over by Assyrians in 722 BCE and people sent to other
places
597 BCE Babylonians invaded Judah, over time burnt Great Temple and people captured
Babylonian Exile beginning of Jewish Diaspora (a scattering over a wide area)
Judaism is monotheistic, belief in one God
Following the teachings of the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud (collection of ancient Jewish
writings, or commentaries, that interpret the laws and teachings of the Hebrew Bible) is central
to Jewish life
Judaism always concerned with ethics (a set of moral principles or values)
Israelites did not believe their leaders were gods; believed that even kings had to obey God’s
laws and teachings
Judaism teaches that God considers all people equal
Rabbis are religious teachers, in ancient times interpreted the basic teachings of the Torah, also
began writing Talmud
When Israelites exiled to Babylon already called Jews-members of Israelite tribe from Judah
called themselves Judeans, later shortened to Jews
539 BCE Persians conquered Babylonians, King Cyrus allowed them to return to Judah and
rebuild the Temple-known as Second Temple
Nearly 400 years Judah ruled by foreigners, after Persians were the Greeks
Antiochus tried to force Jews to worship Greek gods in Second Temple
168 BCE, Jews rebelled and started war which lasted 20 years
Hanukkah celebrated in recognition of winning war
63 BCE Jews fell under Roman rule
More than 50,000 Jews executed by Romans
22 BCE Herod appointed King to rule Jews expanded Second Temple took 46 years to complete
66 CE Jews rose up against Romans; 70 CE Titus led army of 60,000 soldiers which destroyed
the Second Temple leaving only the Western Wall-today considered one of the Jewish most
sacred places
135 CE Romans put down another revolt by Jews-beginning final exile of Jews from homelandno Jews were allowed to enter Jerusalem
Although exiled, religion continued to flourish and grow
Rabbi Yohanan ben Zaccai main person to help keep Judaism alive
During revolt of 66 CE, he was smuggled out of Jerusalem in a coffin, met with Roman general
Vespasian and gained permission to open Jewish school in Yavneh
Rabbis went to Yavneh to study Judaism making sure the Jews had leaders to guide them
Rabbis at Yavneh also taught new concepts
Made synagogues (houses of worship) important
Created religious services which included prayers and study of sacred texts-this has been
adopted by other religious groups
Jews have faced prejudice and persecution but kept their faith
1948, new Jewish state, Israel created in lands once belonging to David and Solomon. Many
Jews settled in this place and considered it their ancient homeland