1. Homework Current Events article due tomorrow
Test on Early Middle Eastern Civilizations on Friday. 20 multiple choice questions, 2 out of 3 short answer questions
Evidence Based Claim on Mesopotamia/Egypt due Tuesday.

2. Aim #9: What were the most important religious beliefs of the Ancient Hebrews?
October 5, 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).

4. II. Beliefs of the Jewish People
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.
Prophets: People who could speak directly to god.
How are these beliefs different from other religions we have learned about?

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?