1. The first of the monotheistic traditions
Judaism
The first of the monotheistic traditions

2. South of Phoenicia 2000 BC
Abram the Sumerian found in (Genesis 11-25) lived to be 175 years old!
11th generation from Noah
Married Sarai and left for Canaan with father and nephew
Told by God that he would be the founder of a chosen people
Abram was 75 and his wife was old as well and they, as of yet, had no children.

3. Abram has a son
Abram leaves with his wife for Egypt since Canaan was in famine
(Story from Genesis 12)
Abram is told by God to go back to Canaan
God makes the Abrahamic Covenant (two way promise between man and God)
God will bless him to be the founder of a great nation to control the promise land
Abram has a lot of money but no kids
Hagar (handmaiden of Sarai) gives birth to Ishmael but are banned

4. Abram picks up an “H”
At 99 years old Abram is told that his name is to be changed to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah
Law of Circumcision is followed and Abraham is a prophet
Abraham and Sarah have a child of their own after 3 visitors
Isaac is born but then God tells Abraham to sacrifice him!
Abraham goes to kill Isaac but is stopped by an angel and is accepted by God

5. Abraham’s Grandson
Jacob became a powerful ruler in Canaan and through 2 wives and 2 servants had 12 sons (12 tribes)
Joseph was despised by his brothers and eventually sold into Egypt (Rachel’s first born)
In Egypt he becomes powerful in Potiphar’s house then is placed in jail for doing the right thing
In jail he reads the dreams of some prisoners and helps the Pharaoh out and made the right hand man of the Pharaoh

6. Heading to Egypt
When the famine hits Egypt and the rest of Mesopotamia many come from all over to get grain from Egypt
Joseph’s brothers show up and Joseph play’s a trick on them to test them
Joseph invites them all to Egypt where they will stay until Moses

7. Out of Egypt
Once Joseph’s decedents stay in Egypt they are eventually mistreated and enslaved.
The Hebrews pray for God to deliver them out of Egypt and Moses comes to the rescue
Moses was born a Hebrew but then raised as an Egyptian by the Pharaoh's wife.
Moses discovers that he is a Hebrew and runs away to Midian where he meets Jethro and Zipporah

8. Moses
While living in the mountains he sees a burning bush and God speaks to him
Moses is commanded to go back to Egypt and demand that Pharaoh release His people
Plagues inflict Pharaoh until he finally lets them go
Blood
Frogs
Gnats and Lice
Flies
Pestilence
Boils
Hail
Locusts
Darkness
Death of Firstborn

9. Moses
Moses leads the people out of Egypt and God promises them a promised land
Moses travels up to Mt. Sianai and there receives the 10 Commandments; the new law code of the Hebrews
When Moses returns he is angry because his people have been worshipping other gods.
The people wander for 40 years until all die but their posterity make it to the promised land

10. Hebrews are United
When Moses leaves (never dies but is translated) the remaining Hebrews place the 10 commandments into the Arc of the Covenant
The people are divided into 12 tribes (after 12 sons of Jacob)
Saul first to unite the tribes as a King of Israel (10 tribes)
Built the Capital in Samaria
Drove the Canaanites out but could not drive out Philistines

11. David the giant slayer
David grew up as a Shepard from Judah (the southern kingdom)
Fights against Goliath of Philistines and kills him with a sling
Becomes king and places a capital of Judah in Jerusalem
Makes a covenant not only with God but with his people as well

12. Solomon
David’s son and successor, Solomon brought Israel to its high point
Constructed a great temple to replace the tabernacles of Moses time
The temple was a place to worship God
Made trade relations with other nations and was known for being wise and fair
Ruled in the 900’s BC

13. End of the Tribes
After Solomon the 10 tribes of Israel revolt and break from Judah
Israel is destroyed by 722 BC by Assyria and scattered
Judah is conquered and the temple destroyed by the Chaldeans in 577 BC
From this time until WWII they would be a wandering people
Known for their hard work ethic the Jewish people today are disproportionally wealthy

14. Final Jewish Terms to know
Moses writes down the history of his people in 5 books known as the Torah
Jewish people today celebrate Passover in remembrance of Gods protection with the plagues in Egypt
Celebrate the Sabbath (holy day) on Saturday as the 7th day of the week
Yom Kippur (יום כיפור) is the most important holiday as day of Atonement where people fast
Hanukah is a small holiday although gets more publicity
Bar Mitzvah for boys at 13 years acceptance to manhood
Star of David became a well known symbol of Judaism after the time of King David