The Struggle To Preserve Judaism How the Hebrews lost their homeland.

Jewish Diaspora When the Hebrews were captured and became slaves in Babylon, they called it the Jewish Diaspora When the Hebrews were captured and became slaves in Babylon, they called it the Jewish Diaspora Diaspora means “scattering” or spreading out throughout the world. Diaspora means “scattering” or spreading out throughout the world. Never again would most of the Hebrews be together in one single homeland, even today. Never again would most of the Hebrews be together in one single homeland, even today.

Central Beliefs of Judaism Monotheism Monotheism Following God’s Law Following God’s Law Equality and Social Justice: everyone is equal in God’s eye, help to care for the less fortunate Equality and Social Justice: everyone is equal in God’s eye, help to care for the less fortunate Importance of Study: study the Torah Importance of Study: study the Torah

Foreign Domination Fall of Judah in 597 BCE and the destruction of the temple in 586 BCE threatened the survival of the Jewish beliefs. Fall of Judah in 597 BCE and the destruction of the temple in 586 BCE threatened the survival of the Jewish beliefs. Became slaves in Babylon for ½ a century (597 BCE- 538 BCE). Became slaves in Babylon for ½ a century (597 BCE- 538 BCE). Prophets encouraged the Hebrews to keep their faith. Prophets encouraged the Hebrews to keep their faith.

Continued… In 539 BCE the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians, and the King released the Hebrews. Some went back to Judah where they re-built some of the temple, others stayed in Babylon. In 539 BCE the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians, and the King released the Hebrews. Some went back to Judah where they re-built some of the temple, others stayed in Babylon. Judah was ruled by the Persians and the Greeks for over 400 years. Some rules were kind, but most of the time they were harsh. Judah was ruled by the Persians and the Greeks for over 400 years. Some rules were kind, but most of the time they were harsh. The Greeks tried to force the Hebrews to worship Greek Gods in their own temple. The Greeks tried to force the Hebrews to worship Greek Gods in their own temple. In 168 BCE the Hebrews rebelled and started a war that would last 24 years. In 168 BCE the Hebrews rebelled and started a war that would last 24 years. In 164 BCE they drove the Greeks from Jerusalem and were able to reclaim the temple. This is the reason for the celebration of Hanukkah. In 164 BCE they drove the Greeks from Jerusalem and were able to reclaim the temple. This is the reason for the celebration of Hanukkah.

And then there were the Romans The Hebrews lived independently for 88 years, but later conquered by the Romans in 63 BCE. The Hebrews lived independently for 88 years, but later conquered by the Romans in 63 BCE. Quick to end rebellion: more than 50,000 Hebrews were executed under their rule. Quick to end rebellion: more than 50,000 Hebrews were executed under their rule. Romans did allow the Hebrews to practice their religion and govern some of their own affairs. Romans did allow the Hebrews to practice their religion and govern some of their own affairs. In 66 CE the Hebrews rose up against the Romans and were able to keep them from Jerusalem for three years. In 66 CE the Hebrews rose up against the Romans and were able to keep them from Jerusalem for three years. In 70 CE the Roman military conquered the Hebrews and destroyed Jerusalem and its temple. All that was left was the western part of the wall. In 70 CE the Roman military conquered the Hebrews and destroyed Jerusalem and its temple. All that was left was the western part of the wall. They seized Jewish land and forbade the Hebrews from entering Jerusalem. Thousands were sent to other parts of the Roman Empire. They seized Jewish land and forbade the Hebrews from entering Jerusalem. Thousands were sent to other parts of the Roman Empire. The Hebrews lost their homeland and their holy city. The Hebrews lost their homeland and their holy city.

Preserving and Passing on the Faith They were spread out throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe but they were able to keep the faith alive. They were spread out throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe but they were able to keep the faith alive. Rabbi Yohanan ben Zaccai: he begged the Hebrews to surrender in order to save the faith. When the Hebrews refused, he went to the Romans. Rabbi Yohanan ben Zaccai: he begged the Hebrews to surrender in order to save the faith. When the Hebrews refused, he went to the Romans. He pleaded to start a Jewish school in the Roman Empire’s Yavneh (right outside of Judah) so when Jerusalem fell, Yavneh became the center of Jewish life. He pleaded to start a Jewish school in the Roman Empire’s Yavneh (right outside of Judah) so when Jerusalem fell, Yavneh became the center of Jewish life. They taught other Rabi’s and other people the faith so when they returned home to their people they were able to spread the faith to them. They taught other Rabi’s and other people the faith so when they returned home to their people they were able to spread the faith to them.

Continued…. New Teachers and Practices New Teachers and Practices Any adult male can read from the Torah; now the people do not need a trained leader to learn the laws and history of Judaism. Any adult male can read from the Torah; now the people do not need a trained leader to learn the laws and history of Judaism. Rabbi’s created synagogues (place of worship and study). This allowed them to strengthen their communities and faith. Rabbi’s created synagogues (place of worship and study). This allowed them to strengthen their communities and faith. Struggled with prejudice and persecution until today, but in 1948 they were given their homeland back by the British. However, they are still fighting for their land. Struggled with prejudice and persecution until today, but in 1948 they were given their homeland back by the British. However, they are still fighting for their land.