1. Ancient Israel and the Foundations of Judaism
Chapter 3.3
Ancient Israel and the Foundations of Judaism

2. I. Exile and Return
Exile- when people are forced to live in a foreign land
During the Israelites’ exile in Babylon, they became Judaists
Jews met each week on the Sabbath
Met at a synagogue (Jewish holy temple)
Jews returned to Judah when the Persians defeated the Chaldeans

3. I. Exile and Return Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) consists of 39 books
Torah-first five books of the Hebrew Bible
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
Jews, Christians, and Muslims share the thought of good triumphing evil
Ex: Daniel in the lions’ den

4. II. The Jews & The Greeks
331 B.C.-Judah came under the control of the Greeks
Many Jews were scattered throughout the empire (Diaspora)
Greeks wanted Jews to worship the Greek deities

5. The Jews & The Greeks
Judas Maccabeus formed an army against the Greeks
Maccabeus and his followers forced the Greeks out of Judah
Hanukkah- annual holiday celebrating the cleansing of the Jewish temple of all Greek gods and goddesses

6. Lighting the Menorah & Playing Dreidels

7. III. The Jewish Way of Life
Jewish laws influenced education, food, and clothing
Sons were considered valuable:
Earned a living to provide for the family
Learned the Torah from elders
Carried on the family name

8. III. The Jewish Way of Life
Girls were also very important
Used biblical figures like Ruth as examples to live by
Responsible for the upbringing of Jewish youth

9. III. The Jewish Way of Life
Food
Must be prepared as kosher
Can not eat pork or any version of slimy seafood
Clothing
Men wore tunics, caps or turbans, and sandals
Women wore dresses and covered their head with a shawl

10. IV. The Jews & The Romans
63 B.C.-Romans conquered Judah and renamed it Judea
King Herod-famous ruler known for cruel ways
After Herod died, the king was replaced with Roman officials

11. IV. The Jews & the Romans
Three groups of Jews did not allow for a strong showing
Pharisees- common people
Sadducees- did not agree with the teachings of the Pharisees
Essenes- smallest of the three

12. The Jews & the Romans
A.D. 66- Zealots drove the Romans out of Jerusalem
A.D. 70- Romans brutally took back Jerusalem
Western Wall is the only reminder of the temple that Solomon built
A.D After 2,000 years of persecution, Israel is reclaimed by the Jews

13. The Western Wall

14. IV. The Jews & The Romans Teachings
Rabbi- instructor of the Torah and other religious material
A.D Dead Sea Scrolls are found
Contained entire book of Isaiah and other pieces of the Hebrew Bible