1. Introduction to World Religions
-Mainstream Monotheism-

2. Let’s Warm Up Our Brains
How does religion shape the way we look at ourselves? The world? Others?

3. Judaism Who: The Israelites (Hebrews) What: Monotheistic belief in God
God was:
All knowing
All powerful
Creator (history and faith interconnected)

4. Religious Text
The Torah
The Law

5. First 5 Books of the Hebrew Bible
What is the Torah?
First 5 Books of the Hebrew Bible
Genesis – The Beginning
Exodus – The Names
Leviticus – He Called
Numbers – In the wilderness
Deuteronomy – The Words

6. Abraham Father of the Israelites (Genesis) Ca. 2000 B.C.E.
from Ur (Mesopotamia)  migrated to Canaan (Palestine)
Covenant between he and God becomes focal point of religion
*You are probably wondering what a covenant is…don’t worry. I will tell you now.*

7. This is Canaan

8. Genesis 17:4-8
“You shall be the father of a multitude of nations…I will make nations of you, and kings shall come forth from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant…”

9. What was the covenant? Two things:
God and Abraham would be buddies forever
 “chosen people”
God promised that Canaan (Palestine/Israel) would be theirs
 The “promised land”

10. The Patriarchs Patriarch: male head of a family or a tribe
Abraham  Sarah was wife (also had a son, Ishmael, with Hagar)
Isaac (son of Abraham)  Rebecca was wife
Jacob (son of Isaac)  Leah and Rachel were wives

11. Moses and the covenant

12. Moses & the Covenant
Abraham’s descendants immigrate to Egypt to escape famine
Eventually enslaved there
Moses renews covenant, leads Israelites out of bondage
After 40 years of wandering, Israelites return to Canaan
Moses dies just before arrival

13. Kingdom of Israel
Established 1000 B.C.
12 Tribes
David (2nd King) united tribes: 1 nation
Solomon (son of David) establishes Jerusalem

14. King David

15. King David Prior to David, Israelites were divided into 12 tribes
David united the tribes into a single kingdom, “Israel”
Israelites under David secured and ruled the “promised land”

16. King Solomon

17. King Solomon Son of David Famous for his wisdom
Diplomacy with Egypt and other kingdoms in and around Mesopotamia
Built the First Temple in Jerusalem
Turned city of Jerusalem into the kingdom’s capital
Cost of building up Jerusalem (taxes & labor) led to revolts shortly after his death

18. Israel Conquered Kingdom splits into Israel (north) and Judah (south)
Syria conquers Israel (722 B.C.)
Babylon captures Judah (586 B.C.) and they are exiled to Babylon
Cyrus of Persia frees Israelites (539 B.C.)
 Known as Jews because they are from Judah

19. Important Stuff
Stress a religious code of ethics (moral standards)
Honor the Sabbath (a day of rest and worship)
Diaspora: spreading of the Jewish people to other regions of the world

20. Influence On Other Religions
Jews, Christians, and Muslims all recognize Abraham, Moses, and the prophets
All of them teach the ethical worldview developed by Israelites
Although Judaism influences both Christianity and Islam, it is important to pay attention the subtle differences in beliefs that develop within the both Christianity and Islam that differentiate them from Judaism.

21. Jewish Ethics Personal morality
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Leviticus)
Social justice
“Tikkun Olam” (heal the world)
Charity
The rich & powerful must protect the poor & weak
All people are equal before God
Including kings
Although Judaism influences both Christianity and Islam, it is important to pay attention the subtle differences in beliefs that develop within the both Christianity and Islam that differentiate them from Judaism.