The Roots of Judaism

Nomadic People  In the year 2000 B.C. there lived a man named Abraham Was a shepherd who migrated to Canaan Abraham is considered the founder of the Israelite nation Later because of famine the Israelites migrate to Egypt

Kingdom of Israel  By 1000 B.C. the Israelites set up a kingdom called Israel The capital of Israel was Jerusalem Ruled by a king named David  United the feuding Israelites into one nation Solomon the son of David built a temple dedicated to God  Solomon also tries to gain fame by negotiating with powerful empires in Egypt and Mesopotamia

King Solomon’s Temple

Division and Conquest  The building projects of Solomon required such high taxes and labor the people revolt The kingdom is then split into Israel in the north and Judah in the south Following the split the Assyrians capture Israel

Babylonian Captivity  The Babylonians capture Judah Nebuchadnezzer orders the temple to be destroyed  Forced many Israelites into exile in Babylon.  This period is called the Babylonian Captivity  During this time the Israelites become known as the Jews

Hebrews are Freed The Babylonian Captivity continues for many years until the Persian ruler Cyrus conquers Babylon and frees the Jews  Many return to their homeland others chose to continue to live under Persian rule  Cyrus allows for construction to begin on the Second Jewish Temple Cyrus the Great

Second Jewish Temple Built under the Persian Empire in 515 B.C.E. Destroyed in by the Romans in 70 C.E. A third temple was never built.

Western Wall

Dome of the Rock

An Overview of Jewish Beliefs  Monotheistic  No one – including the king was above the law  One all-knowing, all-powerful God who was present everywhere  They believe they are the “chosen people”  Believe prophets – interpret God’s will

Teachings and Law  All of the Hebrew teachings and laws were recorded in the Torah  Torah established various laws  Food preparation  Criminal laws  Israelite society was patriarchal Father arranged marriages for daughters Women had few legal rights

The Ten Commandments  Believed to be given to Moses by God The first four stress keeping the Sabbath day holy for rest and worship The rest set rules for conduct toward other people  Honor your father and mother  Thou shall not kill  Thou shall not stea l

Judaism Many of the same stories Founded by Abraham Belief in Heaven and Hell Follow the ten commandments Don’t believe Jesus was the savior or a prophet Believe they are God’s “chosen people” Holy Book is the Torah Believe prophets interpret God’s will Refer to God as Yahweh Jesus is the savior Jesus is the son of God Jesus’ mother was a virgin Believe in saints Refer to God as God Judaism serves as the basis of Christianity Openly seeks converts Holy Book is the Bible Dozens of different sects of Christianity Christianity