Roots of Judaism

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Roots of Judaism

• Ancient Israel

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• Present day Israel lies at the far western end of
  Fertile Crescent, on eastern coast of
  Mediterranean Sea.
• Ancient Israelites developed the religion of
  Judaism 4,000 years ago.
• Today a major world faith.

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Fertile Crescent
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Unique Belief System

• Israelites HebrewsJews
• Monotheism belief in one god.
• At the time, people believed in many gods
  (polytheism).
• God Omniscient and Omnipotent

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Sacred Texts

• History and faith interconnected.
• Each event reflected Gods plan for the people of
  Israel.
• As a result, recorded events and laws into 3
  books.
• 1. Torah Most sacred texts.
• First five books in Hebrew Bible. Genesis,
  Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
• 2. Hebrew Bible includes a total of 24 books.
• 3. Talmud Is another important text. Additional
  laws and customs written down much later.

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The Ancient Israelites

• Abraham lived in the city of Ur in Mesopotamia
• 2000B.C. migrated into Canaan
• Considered the father of the Israelite people
• Covenant (promise or agreement) with God
• You shall be the father of many nations.
• -Genesis 174-8

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Abes Path
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2 Important Promises

• 1. God would have a special relationship between
  Abraham and his descendants
• 2. Canaan would someday belong to the Israelites.

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Joes Coat of Many Colors
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Moses

• An Israelite named Moses renewed Gods covenant
  with Israelites.
• Book of Exodus.
• In return for obedience God would lead them out
  of bondage and into the holy land.

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At the Heart of Judaism is the 10 Commandments
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Kingdom of Israel Established

• 1000 B.C. set up kingdom of Israel
• David unites the 12 feuding tribes.
• Solomon (Davids son follows him)
• Solomon establishes Jerusalem as an important
  capital.
• Builds a marvelous temple dedicated to God
• 922 B.C. Kingdom of Israel splits in two parts.
• North Israel
• South Judah (hence the word Jew)

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David and Goliath
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Solomons Temple
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Invasion

• 722 B.C. Assyrians conquered Israel
• 586 B.C. Babylonians capture Judah
• Nebuchadnezzer destroys great temple.
• Babylonian Captivity
• Forced many Jews into exile (Diaspora).
• 539 B.C. Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers
  Babylon and frees the Jews.

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Diaspora

• Diaspora The spreading out of Jews around the
  world.
• Babylonian Captivity
• and under Roman Emperor Vespasian 70 A.D.
• (Rome conquers Israel in 63 BC under Pompey)
• Maintained identity as a people and lived in
  tight knit communities.

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Roman General Vespasian Sacks Jerusalem
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Coliseum

• Where he used the wealth stolen from Solomons
  Temple to build the

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Christian Martyrs

• Where Christians were fed to the