Chapter 2 - The First Civilizations

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Section 3 The Hebrews and Judaism
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Section 3 The Hebrews and Judaism
Main Idea The ancient Hebrews and their
religion, Judaism, have been a major influence on
Western civilization.

• Reading Focus
• What are the major events in the history of the
  early Hebrews?
• How did the Kingdom of Israel develop and who
  were some of its key leaders?
• What are the basic teachings and sacred texts of
  Judaism?

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I. The Early Hebrews
Hebrews were ancestors of the Jews settled in
Fertile Crescent 2000 to 1500 BC
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A. The Hebrew Fathers
The Torah records early Hebrew history Judaisms
most sacred text
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A. The Hebrew Fathers
The Torah traces Hebrews to Abraham told by God
to abandon polytheism and leave Mesopotamia
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A. The Hebrew Fathers
Abraham obeyed God made covenant to lead Hebrews
to Canaan
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A. The Hebrew Fathers
The sons of Abrahams grandson Jacob (aka
Israel), established the Twelve Tribes of Israel
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B. Moses and the Exodus
Israelites left Canaan and went to Egypt lived
in peace until being enslaved
Wall painting from a 15th century BC Egyptian
tomb - a farm overseer is thrashing a slave while
another slave begs for mercy.
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B. Moses and the Exodus
Moses led Hebrews out of Egypt after God
inflicted ten plagues on Egyptians - the Exodus
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B. Moses and the Exodus
Jews remember the Exodus by celebrating Passover
each spring
Passover Seder Plate
The First Passover
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B. Moses and the Exodus
During the Exodus, Moses climbed Mount Sinai and
received the Ten Commandments
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C. The Promised Land
Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years
before entering Canaan, the promised land
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C. The Promised Land
Fought against Canaanites and Philistines Canaan
became Israel
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II. The Kingdom of Israel

• The Period of the Judges
• Scattered communities, no central gov.
• Judges enforced laws
• Prophets kept focus on faith

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A. Saul, David, Solomon
First king was Saul, succeeded by David - formed
a new dynasty
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A. Saul, David, Solomon
David made Jerusalem capital and religious center
of Israel
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A. Saul, David, Solomon
Davids son Solomon brought Israel to its height
of power built temple in Jerusalem
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B. Division and Conquest
931 BC Solomon died kingdom split into Israel
in north and Judah in south
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B. Division and Conquest
722 BC - Israel was conquered by the Assyrians
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B. Division and Conquest
586 BC Chaldeans conquered Judah, destroyed
temple, and took Jews to Babylon start of the
Diaspora
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III. The Teachings of Judaism

• Religion was foundation of Hebrew and Jewish
  societies
• Monotheism
• Justice and Righteousness
• Kindness, fairness, code of ethics
• Obedience to the Law
• Ten Commandments, Mosaic Law
• Jewish Sacred Texts
• Torah, Talmud