Name _________________________________________ Core ______________ Date ________________________
Religious Wars and the Holy Land
Jews felt that Abraham, one of the founding
fathers of Judaism, was there first. He had traveled
from present-day Iraq to present-day Israel. He
called this new land Canaan. Many of the Jews of
the Holy Land later went to Egypt because of a
famine. They became Pharaoh's slaves, but the
Pharaoh finally decided to let the people go because
of the ten Biblical plagues. This freeing of the
slaves has been called the Exodus. According to the
Bible, God gave Moses 10 commandments, and he
led the people back to the Holy Land (after a forty
From the time we are toddlers, people tell us
to "share and share alike." Unfortunately, this
year detour, but that is another story).
The Jews built a magnificent temple under
lesson hasn't been learned very well by three major
the direction of King Solomon. This temple was
world religions. Christians, Jews, and Muslims have
called (not surprisingly) Solomon's Temple. Jews
fought for hundreds of years over the Holy Land, or
believe that it was built on the exact spot that God
modern-day Israel. These religious wars have
had asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. It took
caused a great deal of suffering and loss of life.
30,000 men seven years to build this Temple, which
The Holy land has mountains, fertile plains,
was described in detail in the Bible. Gold overlay
and deserts. The beautiful blue Mediterranean Sea
decorated the inner sanctuary. Carvings of
lies to the west of it, and a dry, barren desert lies to
cherubim, palm trees, and flowers also decorated
the east. The Jordan Valley runs down the center of
the outer cedar walls. In 953 B.C., the Jews had a
the Holy Land, and rugged mountains jut up on
great celebration to dedicate the Temple. They
either side. Rain from the mountains feeds the
sacrificed 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep! The
black, rich soil. This abundance of water, good soil,
Jewish people felt overjoyed with their Temple.
and access to the sea made this valley desirable to
However, other faiths also wanted the Holy Land,
many ancient peoples. Everyone wanted to live in
like the Christians.
the Holy Land!
Like toddlers tussling over toys, members
The Jewish holy books had always promised
a messiah, or leader, who would lead them as a
of three faiths fought furiously over the Holy Land.
king. Some Jews believed that Jesus, who was born
It's not because they never learned to share, but they
in Nazareth in about 4 B.C., was this messiah.
all felt this land was important to their history. They
Others did not believe in him and turned him over
defended their right to control this area as fiercely
to the Romans to be crucified. The Roman Empire
as a toddler screams "MINE!"
at this time included the Holy Land. Those who
believed in Jesus as the messiah began to spread his
children. A young shepherd boy led the disastrous
message. They became the first Christians, and
Children's Crusade. None of the children actually
many lost their lives as a result of their beliefs.
reached Jerusalem. Sadly, thousands died of hunger
Later, Christianity became the official religion of
along the way. Others became slaves.
the Roman Empire in 325 A.D. which is why
Christians feel they have a claim on the Holy Land.
Muslims also wanted control of the Holy
Four enormous French armies recaptured
Jerusalem in 1099 A.D. During the next century, a
Muslim leader named Saladin recaptured Jerusalem
Land. The Arabs who lived southeast of the Holy
from the English king who led the Crusaders at that
Land worshipped many different gods until the
time, Richard the Lionhearted. Later, Turks
seventh century A.D. Muhammad changed that
conquered the area. Ironically, after all the fighting
when he received his message about Allah as the
between Christians and Muslims, turmoil in that
one god. He then wrote down the holy book of
part of the world continues to this day.
Islam, the Koran. The Muslims invaded Jerusalem
Unfortunately, many lives have been lost in these
in 638 A.D. and many lives were lost as a result.
religious wars over the centuries, and much
The Muslims built a monument called the Dome of
suffering has been inflicted upon innocent people.
the Rock where Solomon's Temple stood. They
It is hard to imagine a solution to religious
believed that this spot was where their Prophet
wars, but maybe we can learn something from the
ascended to heaven. Jews were devastated by the
relationship between Saladin and Richard I. They
destruction of the Temple.
had a great, mutual respect for one another in spite
The Christians decided they wanted the
of their different faiths. At one point Richard even
Holy Land back in 1095 A.D. Pope Urban
suggested that Saladin should marry his sister...an
addressed a large crowd in France. He called for a
interesting twist on the idea of "share and share
"war of the cross" or a Crusade to take over
alike!
Jerusalem. Many died in the Crusades, even
Thought question: Write a summary of this article. Your answer should be at least 35 words. Use complete
sentences when answering the question. (5 points)
Name ____________________________________________ Core __________________ Date _____________________
Multiple Choice: Circle the letter of the choice the best completes the statement. (2 points each)
1. Which people have fought over the Holy Land?
5. What did Muslims build in the place where
Check all that apply.
Solomon's Temple stood?
A. Christians
The Dome of the Rock
B. Buddhists
A pyramid
C. Jews
The Ark of the Covenant
D. Muslims
An arch
2. Which country is the Holy Land today?
6. Which Pope started the Crusades?
A. Nepal
A. Urban
B. Israel
B. Gregory
C. Egypt
C. John Paul
D. China
D. Richard the Lionhearted
3. Which monument did Jews build in Jerusalem?
7. What is the meaning of the word "crusade?"
A. The Coliseum
A. War of the roses
B. The Leaning Tower of Pisa
B. War of the cross
C. Solomon's Temple
C. Battle
D. The Garden of Eden
D. Pilgrimage
4. What were the members of different religions
8. Which historical figure might give us clues about
and their wars compared to in the article?
how to solve religious wars?
A. Mad elephants
A. Pope Urban
B. Lunatics
B. Joan of Arc
C. Hissing snakes
C. Richard the Lionhearted
D. Toddlers
D. Saladin