The Growth of Judaism

Timeline Judaism after the Babylonian Exile 538 B.C.E. Edict of Cyrus (first return from Exile). 166-160 B.C.E. Jewish Maccabean revolt against restrictions on practice of Judaism and desecration of the Temple. 66-73 C.E. First Jewish Revolt against Rome.

Exile Jews called their time in Babylon an exile. Exile- Forced to leave a homeland

Exile During their exile their religion became what is known as Judaism

Exile While in Babylon small groups meet on the Sabbath, weekly from sundown Friday through sundown Saturday. Sabbath- weekly day of Worship pg 94

Exile These meetings took place in a Synagogue Synagogue- Jewish house of worship pg 94

Return to Judah Circa 550 BC The Persians conquered the Chaldeans Cyrus the Persian king allowed the Israelites to return to Judah pg 94

Return to Judah The Israelites rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem The Persians did not allow the Jews to rule themselves but appointed government officials to rule Judah pg 94

Return to Judah For leadership the Jews depended upon religious leaders to run their society Many scribes became religious scholars under Ezra Jews wrote the 5 books of the Torah on parchment pg 94

Hebrew Bible The Hebrew Bible is composed of a series of 34 Books Some of these books describe events of Jewish history

The Jews and the Greeks In 334 BC a king called Alexander the Great of Greece conquered Western Asia and Persia. The Jews were under Persian rule Alexander allowed the Jews to remain in Judah. Pg 95

The Jews and the Greeks During the time of Alexander Jews lived throughout the empire. Some lived in Egypt, Babylon, and other lands bordering the Mediterranean Sea. 95-96

The Jews and the Greeks This scattering of the Jews is referred to Diaspora. Many Jews learned the Greek ways but remained loyal to Judaism. Pg 96

The Jews and the Greeks A group of Jews copied the Hebrew Bible into the Greek language. As a result Jewish ideas spread throughout the Mediterranean world. 3-3A Pg 96

The Maccabees In 168 BC a Greek ruler named Antiochus decided to make the Jews worship Greek gods and goddesses. Pg 96

The Maccabees As a result a priest named Judas Maccabeus rebelled and formed an army then fled into the hills. Pg 96

The Maccabees After many battles the Maccabees forced the Greeks from Judah. They destroyed all traces of the Greek gods. Each year Jews celebrate Hanukkah in recalling the cleansing of the temples Pg 96

Jewish Way of Life Jewish Sets standards for: Education Foods Clothing Provide for the poor Pg 97

Jewish Way of Life Visit the Sick Perform good deeds Give to charity Apply the law to rich and poor alike Exercise Self-control Pg 97

Jewish Family Life The Jews placed great importance on family life Upon the father’s death the son becomes head of the family Education important as mothers were the first teachers Pg 97

Jewish Family Life Later elders would take on the education of the boys and taught them the Torah. Mothers educated their daughters at home Pg 98

The Jewish Diet Under Jewish law only certain animals could be eaten. No Pork No Shell Fish No milk products with meat This called being Kosher Pg 98

Jewish Clothing Jewish law forbid mixing some fabrics Jewish men wore tunics Women draped themselves in long simple dresses and covered their heads with a shawl.