1. Homework Test on Rome Friday. 40 multiple choice questions. Review sheet due Friday. R-6 due Monday.

2. Aim #9: What were the most important religious beliefs of the Ancient Hebrews? January 18, 2016

3. I. Early History A. Abraham: Patriarch (founder) of the Hebrew/Jewish people. God tells Abe to move from Mesopotamia to Canaan (Palestine/present day Israel) around 2000 B.C. B. Abe’s descendents move to Egypt in 1650 B.C. → eventually enslaved → led to freedom and back to Canaan by Moses (Exodus / celebrated on Passover). C. Canaan was an independent kingdom for centuries, but was eventually conquered by the Assyrians, Persians, the Greeks and the Romans.

4. II. Beliefs of the Jewish People A.Monotheism / View of God: –Believe in one god (Yahweh). The Jews refuse to worship any other gods or political leaders except Yahweh. –God created nature, but is not in nature. How are these beliefs different from other religions we have learned about? Why could these beliefs lead to conflict between the Jews and the Romans?

5. II. Beliefs of the Jewish People B. Covenant: –Agreement between God and the Jewish people. In return for obeying God’s laws and commandments, God will watch over them as his “chosen people.” What will happen if the Jews break God’s laws?

6. II. Beliefs of the Jewish People C. Law: –Torah (holy book of the Jewish people) –Ten Commandments (legal code) All Jews could read and interpret the Torah and Ten Commandments for themselves. How does this make Judaism different from other religions of this time period?