Religious beliefs sometimes change.
In the sixth century B.C., a prophet
emerged in Persia.
E. Napp
Zoroaster taught that God is a
force of goodness and light.
E. Napp
However, evil exists.
E. Napp
But Zoroaster believed that people
were free to choose. They could
choose to follow good or they
could choose to follow evil.
E. Napp
According to Zoroaster, individuals
who chose to follow goodness
were rewarded with heaven.
E. Napp
According to Zoroaster, those
who chose evil were punished
in Hell.
E. Napp
However, the first lasting monotheistic
religion was Judaism. Monotheism
is the belief in one God.
E. Napp
Abraham, the first
Jewish prophet,
came to believe in
the existence
of one God. He led
his followers
out of Mesopotamia
to present-day
Israel.
E. Napp
E. Napp
The Hebrews lived in Palestine for many
years. However, after a terrible famine,
the Hebrews migrated to Egypt. In Egypt,
Moses was born.
E. Napp
Moses was
another
significant
Jewish prophet.
He led his people
out of Egypt
where they
had been
enslaved after
escaping a famine.
E. Napp
Moses received the Ten
Commandments on his journey to
his homeland. The Ten
commandments are ethical and
moral rules.
E. Napp
Judaism is the world’s
first ethical and moral
religion. The Jews
believe that they have
a covenant with God.
They must follow
God’s rules for
goodness and God
will bless them.
E. Napp
The Bible is the sacred text of
the Jews. However, the first
five books of the Bible are
considered the most significant
part of the Bible for Jews. Jews refer
to the first five books of the Bible
as the Torah.
E. Napp
Jews worship in synagogues. A
synagogue is a Jewish house of worship.
E. Napp
Questions for Reflection:
 Why did Abraham migrate to Palestine?
 How do polytheists differ from monotheists?
 Provide an example of how Judaism is a moral
and ethical religion.
 Define Torah and Synagogue.
 Why is Judaism a significant religion in world
history?
 What religions were influenced by Judaism?
E. Napp