Name: Key
Unit 4: Foundations of Western Ideas
Chapter 7: The Hebrews and Judaism
Section 2: Jewish Beliefs and Texts
Pages 208-213
Jewish Beliefs and Texts
Social Studies Reading Guide
THE BIG IDEA: Central Ideas & Laws of Judaism are contained in the Sacred Texts.
 MAIN IDEA #1
 MAIN IDEA #2
Beliefs in God, education, justice,
Jewish beliefs are listed in the
& obedience anchor Jewish society. Torah (the Hebrew Bible) & the
Ten Commandments.
 MAIN IDEA #4
Ideas from Judaism helped shape
later cultures.
 MAIN IDEA #3
The Dead Sea Scrolls reveal many
past Jewish Beliefs.
Key Terms and People: Define or identify the following terms and people.
 Monotheism
 Torah
The most sacred text of Judaism. Includes the first
The belief and worship of only one god
five books of the Hebrew Bible and tells the history of
the Jews
 Synagogue
 Prophets
A Jewish temple or house of worship
People who are said to receive messages from
God to be taught to others.
 Talmud
 Dead Sea Scrolls
A book of lessons for everyday life that explain
2000 year old Jewish writing that were found in
Jewish laws
caves. These writing helped historians learn about
Jewish history and people.
Main Idea #1:
1. What is monotheism & why did this belief set the ancient Hebrews apart?
Monotheism is the belief in one god. The Jews were different because they only believed in one god while
other Ancient civilizations believed on many gods or worshipped their leaders as gods.
2. What is the Jewish view of justice?
The Jewish ideal of justice is kindness, fairness, and righteousness (doing what is right).
3. Why is education so important in Judaism?
Education is important to Jews because it teaches the religious beliefs of Judaism, their culture, and their
laws.
HOLT CA Social Studies: Ancient Civilizations
Main Idea #2:
4. What is the Torah?
The Torah is the most important Jewish religious text. It teaches Jewish laws and history.
The Torah contains the 10 Commandments
5. What are the 3 parts of the Hebrew Bible?
o The Torah: the “Five Books of Moses” Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and
Deuteronomy.
o The Tanakh: Contains the Nevi’im and the Ketuvum
The Neviʾim, or Prophets contains anecdotes about major Hebrew persons and include Joshua,
Judges, Samuel, and Kings—or the Latter Prophets—which exhort Israel to return to God and
are named for Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and (together in one book known as “The Book of the
Twelve”) the 12 Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk,
Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
The Ketuvim, the last of the three divisions, contains poetry, theology, and drama in Psalms,
Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs (attributed to King Solomon), Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes,
Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles.
You Write: The Torah, The Tanach, and 11 books of poetry and songs, stories, and lessons.
6. Why is the Torah considered the most sacred text in Judaism
It teaches the Ten Commandments (God’s laws)
Main Idea #3:
7. What are the Dead Sea Scrolls & When were they first discovered?
The Dead Sea Scrolls are ancient, mostly Hebrew, manuscripts (of leather, papyrus, and copper) first
found in 1947 on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea. Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is among
the more important finds in the history of modern archaeology.
You Write: 2000 year old Hebrew documents that were found in a cave in 1947.
8. How have the Dead Sea Scrolls affected Judaism?
Study of the scrolls has enabled scholars to push back the date of a stabilized Hebrew Bible to no later
than 70 ce, to help reconstruct the history of Palestine from the 4th century bce to 135 ce, and to cast
new light on the emergence of Christianity and of rabbinic Judaism and on the relationship between
early Christian and Jewish religious traditions.
You Write: They have provided Jewish scholars with additional insights into the teachings of
Judaism and into Jewish history.
Main Idea #4:
9. What 2 major religions have been influenced by Judaism?
Christianity and Islam
10. How have Jewish views of justice influenced our court systems?
HOLT CA Social Studies: Ancient Civilizations
o
o
o
o
The 10 commandments reflect the basis of many of our laws.
Be kind, Fair, & Righteous
Do not lie or cheat
Everyone has a right to an attorney and to justice in a court of law.
Theme Connection: Write a Paragraph using 3 (or more) details. You may write on the back of this
worksheet. Please write neatly.
11. How are ancient Hebrew teachings reflected in our society today?
o Many people don’t work on the weekend or Sunday- Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.
o Honor your parents, family and neighbors
o Donate to Charity
HOLT CA Social Studies: Ancient Civilizations