The Origins of Judaism
The Search for a Promised Land
Ancient Palestine
• Palestine was region on eastern shores of Mediterranean
• Hebrew people settled in Canaan, land promised to them by God
From Ur to Egypt
• Torah, first five books of Hebrew Bible, tells early history of Hebrews
• In Torah, God chose Abraham, a shepherd, to be father of Hebrew people
• Abraham moves family and herds from Ur to Canaan around 1800 B.C.
• Around 1650 B.C. Abraham’s descendants move to Egypt
The God of Abraham
• Hebrews are monotheists, believing in one God only Yahweh
• Yahweh is all powerful, not a physical being
• A mutual promise, covenant, is made between God and Abraham
• Abraham promises to obey God, Yahweh promises protection
Moses and the Exodus
Hebrews Migrate to Egypt
• At first Hebrews are honored in Egyptian kingdom; later become slaves
“Let My People Go”
• Hebrews flee Egypt between 1300 and 1200 B.C.
• Bible tells of God’s command that Moses lead this “Exodus”
A New Covenant
• Moses receives Ten Commandmentsbecomes basis of Hebrew law
The Land and People of the Bible
• Torah tells of Hebrews wandering Sinai Desert for 40 years
• Arrive in Canaan, form twelve tribes; judges provide leadership
Hebrew Law
• Women and men have separate roles, responsibilities
• Law includes strict justice softened by mercy
• Prophets arise later to interpret the law
• They teach people to live moral lives
The Kingdom of Israel
Canaan
• Land that Hebrews believe God promised them
• Canaan land is harsh; Hebrews expand south and north
Saul and David Establish a Kingdom
• Hebrews threatened by Philistines to the north
• Only one tribe remains, Judah; Hebrew religion called Judaism
• From 1020 to 922 B.C. Hebrews (Jews) unite; new kingdom called Israel
• King David establishes Jerusalem as capital
Solomon Builds the Kingdom
• David’s son Solomon becomes king; makes Israel a trading empire
• He builds a magnificent temple and royal palace in Jerusalem
The Kingdom Divides
• High taxes and forced labor lead Jews in north to revolt
• By 922 B.C. kingdom divides in two—Israel in north, Judah in south
• 200 years of conflict follow
The Babylonian Captivity
A Conquered People
• In 738 B.C. Israel and Judah pay tribute (money for peace) to Assyria
• By 722 B.C. Assyrians conquer Israel
• In 586 B.C. Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Solomon’s Temple
• Many surviving Jews exiled to Babylon
• In 539 B.C Persians conquer Babylon; 40,000 Jews return to Jerusalem
• Temple and walls rebuilt; land later ruled by Persians, Greeks, Romans
Conflict in the Middle East
Israel Becomes a State
A Jewish Nation
• Both Jews and Palestinians make historic claims to Palestine
• Jews exiled from land in second century
− begin settlement movement in Palestine to create a state
• UN votes for formation of Jewish, Palestinian states in 1947
• Palestinians, nearby Arab nations reject creation of Israel
Israel and Arab States in Conflict
Wars Break Out
• Arab neighbors attack Israel the day after it becomes new nation
• Israel repels the attack, seizes additional territory
The 1956 Suez Crisis
• Arab-Israeli tension erupts into war again in 1956
• Conflict begins after Egypt grabs control of British-held Suez Canal
• Israeli troops seize back the canal with British, French support
• International pressure prompts Israel to return canal to Egyptians
Arab-Israeli Wars Continue
• Israel defeats Arab countries in Six-Day War of 1967
− gains key land: Jerusalem, Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, West Bank
• Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat launches Arab attack on Israel in 1973
• Israeli leader Golda Meir orders Israeli counterattack
• Israel recovers most territory; war ends in truce
The Palestine Liberation Organization
• Many Palestinians living under Israeli rule, want their own state
• Form Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO); Yasir Arafat leader
Efforts at Peace
Sadat Moves for Peace
• Egypt and Israel sign peace agreement, Camp David Accords, in 1979
• Egypt recognizes Israeli state; Israel returns Sinai region to Egypt
• Many Arab countries angry at Egypt; extremists assassinate Sadat
Israeli-Palestinian Tensions Increase
• PLO continues armed struggle for own state during 1970s and 1980s
• Palestinians launch intifada, or uprising, against Israeli rule in 1987
− campaign includes boycotts, demonstrations, attacks on army
The Oslo Peace Accords
• Secret talks result in Oslo Peace Accords in 1993
• Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin calls for Palestinian self-rule
• Self-rule to begin in West Bank town of Jericho
• Rabin is assassinated by Jewish opponent of Palestinian self-rule
• Peace plan stalls
Peace Slips Away
The Conflict Intensifies
• Steps to revive peace plan fail; Israeli-Palestinian hostility grows
• Second intifada arises in 2000; suicide bomber attacks on civilians
• Israel responds with greater armed force, halt dealings with Arafat
Working Toward a Solution
• Palestinians elect a prime minister to negotiate with Israel in 2003
• PLO and Israeli leaders agree to explore new U.S.-backed peace plan
Source: http://www.altoona.k12.wi.us/faculty/gbuske/The%20Origins%20of%20Judaism.doc
Web site to visit: http://www.altoona.k12.wi.us/
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