1. EQ: How did Judaism originate, spread, and survive
EQ: How did Judaism originate, spread, and survive? How has it influenced other religions?
Judaism

2. History
The ancient Israelites (Hebrews or Jews) were nomadic people who migrated from Mesopotamia to Canaan (present-day Israel & Lebanon) around 2000BCE
Judaism originated in the Middle East around 1000 BCE. According to Jewish tradition, God chose the Hebrews and helped them to escape slavery in Egypt. Judaism was one of the first monotheistic religions.

3. History
Almost everything we know about the Israelites is based on the Hebrew Bible.
Hebrew Bible = Old Testament of the Christian Bible.
The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible are know as the Torah, which is comprised of stories about the ancient Israelites and descriptions of Hebrew law.
The Torah is a sacred scripture recording laws and events in Jewish history.

5. Beliefs
The Israelites were the founders of Judaism, one of the 1st monotheistic religions.
Most other people of the time practiced polytheistic religions.
The Israelites believed their God was all powerful and the creator.
Judaism teaches that a person serves God by studying the Torah and living by its teachings.
The Star of David, is the universal symbol Judaism.
There are 3 major Jewish Sects:
Orthodox Jews – obey the Torah without question.
Conservative Jews Interpret
3. Reform Jews Torah to make it
relevant today

6. Worship Practices Jews worship in a synagogue or temple.
Usually they are built so that the congregation faces towards Jerusalem during worship.
An ark, or cabinet, at the front of the synagogue contains the scroll of the Torah.
A lamp called the eternal light hangs before the ark, symbolizing the eternal presence of God.
A rabbi (“teacher”) leads prayers and reads passages of the Hebrew Bible or Torah during the service. He or she will also deliver the sermon.

7. Ritual
Some Jews follow strict dietary laws based on passages from the Hebrew Bible.
These laws establish what is kosher, or acceptable for Jews to eat.
Animals that are considered unclean, like pigs & shellfish, are forbidden.

8. God’s Covenant with Abraham
Read
Who founded the Jewish Religion?
What is a covenant?
Describe the 2 features of this covenant
How are Jews the “chosen people?”
What makes Canaan the “promised land?”

9. The Enslavement of the Israelites
Read
What brought Joseph and his family to Egypt?
Why were the Israelites enslaved?

10. Exodus from Egypt What is the Exodus? Who led it? From where to where?
Examine the picture, read the caption.
How long did it take?

11. The Kingdom of Israel How many tribes of Israel were there?
What did David and Solomon both work to do/create?
How is Israel conquered?
What is Babylonian Captivity?
What did the Persians do to/for the Jews?

12. Moses Receives the Ten Commandments and Ethics in Judaism
What are the 10 commandments?
What do the first 3 have in common?
What are prophets?
What are ethics?
What was unique about the way Jews saw their religious leaders?
What other religions would this code of ethics come to influence?

13. Judaism Spreads What is Diaspora?
How did Jews maintain their values/culture/religion?