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!

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 BCMoses confronted the Pharaoh –

begged to let Israelites goDenied over and over againWith God’s help – 10 plaguesBegan with Nile turning into

blood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95t6te5IKuI&safe=active

Pharaoh gave in army still right behind though!

Moses parted the Red Sea – the water came down on Egyptian army

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt-9ihZsV2Y&safe=active

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 TestamentMoses 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 lawVery popular!Established

Jerusalem as the capital

King Solomon

David’s son takes over in 962 BCMost powerful of all!Had over 700 wives!Beautified Jerusalem!Built a major temple – causing

high taxes on people. Forced labor tooRevolt broke out between North

and South

Kingdom now divides in two North – IsraelSouth – Judah