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The Hebrews – Location The Middle East/Southwest Asia Mediterranean Sea Jordan River Jerusalem The Hebrews settled in the Fertile Crescent, between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.

Major Monotheistic Religion’s Characteristics  The three major monotheistic religions that originated in the Middle East are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  All are based on monotheism – the belief in one god.  Each religion has a sacred text, or book, which is at the core of its faith.  Each book is a collection of writings compiled over time.  None of these books were written by the central figure of the faith.

Origins of Judaism  The Hebrews were the first to practice Monotheism.  Judaism is the oldest of the three monotheistic religions.  It began as a set of beliefs and laws practiced by ancient Hebrew people in the Middle East.

Foundation of Judaism  The Bible names Abraham as the father of the Jews and founder of Judaism.  There is no other evidence of his life.  Scholars place Abraham living sometime between 2000 and 1500 B.C. (B.C.E).  The Bible states that Abraham was born in Ur, Sumer, in present-day Iraq.  Establishes covenant  an agreement with God (Yahweh) and the Hebrew people, now known as God’s chosen people.  He later led the Hebrew people out of Ur to Canaan, in present- day Israel.

Foundations of Judaism (cont’d)  Jews believe Canaan is the Promised Land, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants, the Chosen People.  It is said that Abraham’s grandson Jacob had 12 sons, who became the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel  Jacob was later called Israel, and his descendants are called Israelites.  King David later unites the tribes.

Foundations of Judaism (cont’d)  Jews believe that one day a human leader will come as a messenger of God called a messiah and bring about a golden age.

The Egyptian Captivity  One of the tribes migrated to Egypt where they were put into captivity and used as slaves by the Pharaoh.  Moses (a prophet – someone who talks with God) led the Jews from Egypt and wandered in the desert for 40 years.  Moses was given the Ten Commandments during the wandering

The Babylonian Captivity  According to the Bible, the First Temple for Jewish worship was built around 900—1000 B.C. (B.C.E.) and destroyed by Babylonians in 586 B.C. (B.C.E.).  The Jews were then sent out of Canaan, but returned after 50 years in exile.

Diaspora  A Diaspora occurs when a group of people leave their homeland and move to many different locations separately.  After the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. (C.E.), the Jews either fled to or were sold into slavery throughout parts of the Roman Empire (Modern Day Europe ).  All of the world’s Jewish communities today that do not live in present-day Israel are part of the Jewish Diaspora.

Sacred Text  Judaism sacred book is the Hebrew Bible called the Torah.  It contains the moral and religious laws of the Jewish people, including the Ten Commandments.

The Phoenicians – Location: Mediterranean Sea Carthage Ran along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as along the coast of North Africa. Established the port city of Carthage. The Phoenicians became a great trading empire. Europe Africa

Culture  The Phoenicians were a seafaring people, meaning they regularly traveled by sea.  As a result, one of their main economic activities was building ships.  Known as Carriers of Civilization because their large trading empire helped cultural diffusion.  As result, this helped further the development of cuneiform into the first alphabet.