1. The Israelites
Chapter 6

2. The Beginning Judaism oldest monotheistic faith
belief in one deity (god)
Hebrew Bible
holy book
same as Christian Old Testament

3. Abraham Father of Judaism Hebrew Bible = God made a promise
Land in Canaan belongs to him and his followers
Becomes known as the “Promised Land”
He moves from Mesopotamia to Canaan

4. Abraham’s Descendants
Isaac – son
Jacob – grandson
Name changes to Israel
Has 12 sons
12 Tribes of Israel
Famine Forces them to Egypt

5. Life in Egypt Peaceful life in Egypt for a while #’s kept increasing
Pharaoh (polytheistic) feared they would one day rebel
Enslaves them

6. Moses Born Hebrew, but doesn’t know it
Raised as part of pharaoh’s family
Truth revealed = exile
God speaks to him – get pharaoh to free my people

7. Plagues Moses requests slave freedom Pharaoh refuses him
God sends plagues – not good for Egypt
Finally pharaoh frees Hebrews!

8. Ten Commandments On return to Canaan God reveals laws to Moses
Carved on Stone Tablets
Basic “rules” for following God
Provides basis for moral codes for many societies
Basis of many laws

9. Return to Canaan Hebrews return to homeland, but others are there!
Phoenicians
Sailors & traders – Mediterranean
Alphabet – Greece/Rome
Philistines
“Sea People”
Iron tools & weapons – FIERCE!

10. They Take Back Their Land!
Moses dies – Joshua = leader
Defeated the enemy at Jericho
Settle back in the region

11. Trouble’s Not Over Yet Philistines and Israelites class
King Saul – good leader for a while
King David –
Prosperity
Establishes Jerusalem as capital
King Solomon – wise man
Builds temple
After he dies – Israel splits
Assyrians & Chaldeans become a threat
Eventually –Israelites kicked out to Babylon

12. Judaism
In Babylon – Jews began meeting in synagogues – house of worship
Sabbath – holy day of rest
sundown Friday - nightfall Saturday
Family at the center of life
Dietary laws – kosher
No meat/dairy together
No pork/shellfish

13. Judaism Today Sixth most commonly practiced world religion
Most Jews live in Israel or US
Many different sects – divisions