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What is Judaism???. Judaism. One of “the oldest” known religions to man Born app 4,000 years ago Life for Jewish people has been very difficult! Slavery in Egypt Blamed on Black Death Holocaust. Judaism. A religion, philosophy and a way of life!
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Judaism • One of “the oldest” known religions to man • Born app 4,000 years ago • Life for Jewish people has been very difficult! • Slavery in Egypt • Blamed on Black Death • Holocaust
Judaism • A religion, philosophy and a way of life! • Judaism is considered by religious Jews to be the expression of the covenantal relationship God developed with the Children of Israel
Canaan • Ancient home for Hebrews (later called Jews)
Ancient Palestine (Canaan) • Crossroads! • Great trade came through this area – Africa, Asia, Europe • According to the Bible – Canaan was the land God promised to the Hebrews • Lays between the Mediterranean and Red Seas
Torah • Most of what we know early history of Hebrews is found in the Torah • First 5 books of the Hebrew Bible • Christians refer to it as Old Testament • Considered most sacred writings!
Abraham • “Father” of the Hebrew people • God spoke to Abraham these words: • “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great.” • Genesis 12:1-2
Abraham • A shepherd who lived in Ur. • 1800 BC (?) Canaan • 1650 BC - Egypt • First monotheists ever! • Abraham obeyed in exchange for protection • Promise was called a covenant
Why Egypt???? • Possibly drought and famine? • First honored by Egyptians, then slavery…
Moses and the Exodus • Hebrews fled Egypt • Passover • Torah says it was Moses • Pharaoh felt threatened by number of Hebrews • Ordered all _________ babies to be killed! • Moses hidden by his mother by the river • Egyptian princess raised him • Commanded by God, he obeyed
Moses • Born in 1593 BC • Moses confronted the Pharaoh – begged to let Israelites go • Denied over and over again • With God’s help – 10 plagues • Began with Nile turning into blood
Pharaoh gave in army still right behind though! • Moses parted the Red Sea – the water came down on Egyptian army
10 Commandments • While crossing Sinai Peninsula – Moses climbed Mt. Sinai • Believe he spoke to God (Yahweh) • Brought down two stone tablets???? • Became basis for civil and religious law
Found in the Old Testament • Moses given credit for writing the first 5 books Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy – Pentateuch
Believed it was a new covenant between Hebrews and God • Believed they spent 40 years wandering • Returned to Canaan • Organized into 12 tribes after death of Moses
Canaan • 1020-922 BC – Hebrews united under 3 kings • Saul, David and Solomon • New kingdom known as Israel • 100 years of peace
Saul • First king of Israel! • Able to drive the Philistines out – known as a tragic man
King David • Saul’s son-in law • Very popular! • Established Jerusalem as the capital
King Solomon • David’s son takes over in 962 BC • Most powerful of all! • Had over 700 wives! • Beautified Jerusalem! • Built a major temple – causing high taxes on people. • Forced labor too • Revolt broke out between North and South
Kingdom now divides in two • North – Israel • South – Judah