They believed in one God who set down moral laws for His people. They recorded their history in the Hebrew Bible.

Ancient Israelites

Ancient Israel

Monotheism Spoke HebrewJudaism – Jews

Influenced Christianity and IslamHelped shape beliefs and practices of societies in Europe

and AmericaHebrew language

Wrote down their history and religious beliefs in the Hebrew Bible known as the Old Testament

Herders and tradersCame from Mesopotamia to Canaan (present day

Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan)Descendents of Abraham

Who were the Israelites?

God (Yahweh) told him to leave Mesopotamia and go to Canaan.

God’s promise (covenant)Lived in Canaan for 100 years then a drought

occurred and some went to Egypt

Abraham

Abraham’s grandsonAlso called Israel – means “one who struggles

with God”Later given to his descendants12 sons divided into tribes (12 tribes of Israel)

Jacob

Israelites were enslaved to build pyramids for the Pharaoh.

Baby boys –Nile RiverMoses – tended sheepBurning bush10 plagues

From Slavery to Freedom

MosesAn illustrated story of

Moses

1. Turn Water to blood2. Frogs3. Lice4. Flies5. Disease on livestock6. Boils 7. Hail8. Locusts9. Darkness10. Death of 1st born of all Egyptian humans and animalsExodus 7:19 -11:5

10 Plagues

Known as the ExodusPassover, Jewish holiday celebrates this event

Parting of the Red Sea

Sinai DesertMount Sinai – where Moses received laws

from God or the Torah

Journey to Canaan

Later became the 1st part of the Hebrew BibleTorah described a covenant (agreement) with

God in which God promised to return the Israelites to Canaan if they followed His laws.

Explained what God considered to be right and wrong

Ten Commandments

Torah

Shaped basic moral laws of many nationsHelped develop a belief in the “rule of law”–

idea that laws should apply to everyone equally

Exodus 20:1-17

Ten Commandments

How many of the commandments tell people how to interact with other people?6 (commandments

5-10)How many tell them

how to worship and show respect for God?4 (commandments

1-4)

Ten Commandments

A gold-plated wooden box (acacia wood)45” long and 27” wide and 27” deep4 gold rings on corners with 2 gold rings on

side where poles of acacia wood overlaid in gold were used to carry it

Contents: stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were carved, a golden pot of manna from the wilderness journey, and Aaron’s rod

Most sacred artifact of the Israelites

Ark of the Covenant

40 years Moses never lived to see it.Joshua – new leaderHad to fight to regain itJericho

marched around walls for 6 days while 7 priests blew their trumpets

on 7th day – trumpets blew one last time and Israelites raise a great shout

3 more warsLand divided by 12 tribes

The Promised Land

LeadershipUsually a military leaderCommanded 1 or 2 tribes (seldom all 12)Barak, Gideon, Samuel, Eli, Samson, and others

including DeborahDeborah told Barak to attack the army of the

Canaanite king Jabin and went along to battlefield as an adviser.

King Jabin was destroyed around 1125 B.C.Walled towns for protectionCreated an alphabet

Judges

Phoenicians were skilled sailors and traders (with Greece, Spain, and western Africa).

Spread ideas and goods like an alphabetAlphabet made writing simpler and easier to

keep records.Brought the idea to Greeks who passed it on

to the Romans which is the basis for most Western alphabets

Phoenician Alphabet

Review1. Why was the religion of Israel unique in the

ancient world?2. What is the Torah, and how did the

Israelites obtain it?3. What was the importance of the Phoenician

alphabet?4. What problems did the Israelites face when

they returned to Canaan?5. Which one of the Ten Commandments do

you think is most important today?

Jewish

Ideas

Belief in one god

Ten Commandment

s

Hebrew Bible

Belief that God gave

Canaan to the Jews

Creation of the kingdom of Israel; its great kings (Saul, David, and Solomon); and the challenges

Israel faced

The Kingdom of Israel

The Israelites choose a KingSimilar to Philistines,

strongest people living in Canaan who had strong cities and knew how to make iron tools and weapons

B/c they copied the Philistines, they felt they needed a king as well. (believed it would unite them against their enemies)

1020 B.C. – Samuel asked to choose a king.What is a prophet?Samuel’s warningSamuel anointed their choice, Saul (warrior-

farmer) as king. What does this mean?Saul – tall, handsome, and had won many

battlesSaul disobeyed some of God’s commands.Samuel was instructed by God to anoint a

new king (David) in secret.

The Rule of Saul

Known for his bravery and leadership David and GoliathPut in charge of army by Saul“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten

thousands.”Took throne in 1000 B.C.Drove Philistines from the areaCreated an empireTributeHeavy taxes to expand Israel’s capital, Jerusalem.temple

David

David’s sonBuilt splendid stone temple in JerusalemIn Hebrew Bible, he is known for his

proverbs.

Solomon

Wise sayingsHappy the man who finds wisdom, the man

who gains understanding!-- Proverbs 3:13

If you are wise, it is to your own advantage; and if you are arrogant, you alone shall bear it.-- Proverbs 9:12

Hatred stirs up disputes, but love covers all offenses.-- Proverbs 10:12

Proverbs

Between the devil and the deep sea To choose between two equally bad alternatives in a serious dilemma. Where there's a will there's a way When a person really wants to do something, he will find a way of

doing it. A burnt child dreads fire A bad experience or a horrifying incident may scar one's attitude or

thinking for a lifetime. First come, first served The first in line will be attended to first. A friend in need is a friend indeed A friend who helps when one is in trouble is a real friend. "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak

out and remove all doubt.”   --  Abraham Lincoln

Proverbs

1. "Well done is better than well said"2. "A lie stands on one leg, the truth on two"3. "God helps those who help themselves"4. "A penny saved is a penny earned"5. "Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy,

wealthy, and wise"6. "There is no little enemy"7. "It is hard for an empty sack to stand upright"8. "When the well is dry, they know the worth of water"9. "Drive the business, let not drive thee"10. "Kill no more pigeons than you can eat"11. "The sleeping fox catches no poultry"12. "Think of the things, whence you came, where are

you going, and to whom you must account"13. "Energy and persistence conquer all things"

Benjamin Franklin’s proverbs

Many Israelites hated his rule.Taxed people to pay for his great buildings

List positive and negative aspects of paying taxes.

Made young men work in mines of neighboring countries to make more money

Death – 10 of 12 tribes set up their own nation in the north

Solomon continued

10 tribes created a new kingdom in N called Israel --- capital was Samaria

2 tribes founded a smaller kingdom called Judah --- capital was Jerusalem --- people were Jews

Which kingdom lost access to the Mediterranean?

Which shares a border with Phoenicia?

Kingdoms of Israel and Judah

Kingdoms felt threatened by their powerful neighbors. Prophets brought hope – emphasizing that people should please God by leading a moral life and helping others.

Assyrians and Chaldeans were building empires in SE Asia

Israel722 B.C. – were

conquered by the Assyrians scattering the 10 tribes across their empire.

New culture developed called Samaritans.

“lost tribes of Israel”

The Fall of the Kingdoms

Lost Tribes of IsraelIsrael was conquered by Assyrians in 722 BC and the scattered people were known as the ‘Lost Tribes of Israel’

JudahJudaism developed from the religious practices

of the tribes of Judah.620 B.C. – conquered by Egyptians keeping

their king but paying tribute to EgyptChaldeans conquered Egypt.

The Fall of the Kingdoms

Chaldean king597 B.C. – captured Jerusalem punishing the

Jews severelyMade 10,000 Jews leave Jerusalem and move

to Babylon, Chaldean capital.Appointed a new Jewish kingProphet Jeremiah warned the new Jewish king

that planning a revolt would be dangerous. 586 B.C. – destroyed temple; Babylonian

captivity

King Nebuchadnezzar

Review1. Why did the Assyrians and the Chaldeans want

to control the land belonging to the Israelites?2. Why was David anointed king while Saul was

still in charge of the Israelites?3. Who were the prophets, and why were they

important to the Israelites?4. What happened to the Israelites after the

death of Solomon?5. Who were the Samaritans?6. Why do you think the Assyrians, and later the

Chaldeans, moved Jews away from Israel and Judah after those areas were conquered?

King David King Solomon

King David King SolomonDrove the Philistines from Israel and created an empire

Built a temple in Jerusalem

Built Jerusalem Known for his proverbs

Wrote many psalms

The Growth of JudaismJews continued their religion during their exile in

Babylon.

Babylonian exileTheir religion became known as Judaism.SabbathSynagogues

Exile and Return

Ruins of the Ancient Synagogue at Bar'am

Belz Great Synagogue in Jerusalem (largest)

The Torah Ark of the Ari Ashkenazi Synagogue

The Karaite Synagogue in the Old City (Jerusalem)

Why did the Jews Return to Judah?500s B.C. – Persians defeated Chaldeans and

Babylon538 B.C. – Persian king Cyrus permitted Jews

to return to Judah.Rebuilt Jerusalem and the templeReligious leadersScribesTorahHebrew Bible

Series of 34 books collected The Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings –

added laterBooks of poetry, literature, and proverbsGenesis

What is in the Hebrew Bible?

1st book of TorahNoah, ark, FloodRainbow Babel

Genesis

God’s plan for a peaceful futureBook of DanielJews believed that evil and suffering would

eventually be replaced by goodness. Christians and Muslims share this idea of good triumphing over evil.

334 B.C. – Alexander the Great 331 B.C. – he defeated the Persians and introduced the Greek language and ways to Judah.

Looking toward the future

Jews – Babylon, Egypt, lands bordering Mediterranean Sea

This is known as Diaspora --- scattering of Jews outside of Israel and Judah

Greek word that means “scattered.”

Jews learned Greek language and ways but remained loyal to Judaism.

Diaspora

168 B.C. – Greek ruler Antiochus controlled Judah.

Jews made to worship Greek gods and goddess.

Judas Maccabeus, a priest, along with followers rebelled.

The MaccabeesHanukkah

Maccabees

Shaped by religionLaws affected daily life

Jewish Culture

Great importanceSons – valued especially

carried on family name Became head of household upon father’s death

Education1st teachers were their mothersElders took over religious education of boys

(Torah)Mothers educated daughters at home

Family life

Their relationship shows importance of family love and devotion.

Book of Ruth in Hebrew BibleNaomi wants to return home after death of

husband and sons.Ruth to Naomi – “Wherever you go, I will go;

wherever you lodge; I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God.”

Boaz marries Ruth and they have Obed.Obed is the grandfather of David.

Ruth and Naomi

Under Jewish law, Jews could only eat certain animals.

Beef and lamb, not porkscaly fish like salmon not shellfish or smooth

skin fish like eelLaws – kashrut – “that which is proper”Kosher Ancient times – meals were made up of fish,

fruit, veggies, and barley bread. Beverages were mainly milk, water, wine, and beer.

Jewish Diet

Jewish ClothingNo mixing of fabricsFlax or wool but not combinedMen

tunics made of linen next to their skin (some layered)

Cold weather – wool or sheepskin cloaksHeads – caps or turbanssandals

WomenDraped in long, simple dressesCovered heads with shawlsWealthy wore leather shoes, makeup, and jewelry

Under Roman rule, the Jews were divided and rebellious. In response, the Romans destroyed the

temple and exiled the Jews.

The Jews and the Romans

Most famous kingKnown for additions made to Jewish temple in

JerusalemDivision after the Herod’s death

King Herod

Pharisees and SadduceesTaught the Torah

and how to apply its laws to daily life

Taught in synagogues and were supported by the common people

Support of the oral traditionsBelieved these were

very important in helping people obey the commandments

Accepted the TorahMore concerned

about how it applied to priests in Temples

Disagreed with Pharisees teachings

Emphasized written law and commandments

A 3rd groupPriests who broke away from the Temple in

JerusalemDesertPraying and waiting for God to deliver the

Jews from the RomansStrictly followed written law

Essenes

Ancient scrolls found in A.D. 1947 in caves near the Dead

SeaHelped historians know more about Judaism

during Roman times

Dead Scrolls

Waiting for a messiahZealotsA.D. 66 –Zealot revolt JewsA.D. 70 – Romans retook Jerusalem killing

thousands of Jews.Revolted again in A.D. 132Ended in 3yrs – Romans forbade Jews to live

in or visit JerusalemPalestine

Jewish Revolts

Rabbis – teachers of the TorahYohanan ben Zaccai – famous rabbi

Founded a school in northern Palestine – center of Torah studies

Commentaries (Talmud – Hebrew word for “learning or study”)

A.D. 1947 – Palestine dividedIsrael – A.D. 1948

Jewish Teachers

So that lives could be saved and certain important business carried out on the Sabbath, etc.

Review1. How did Alexander the Great affect the

Israelites?2. What was Diaspora?3. What was education like within a Jewish

family?4. Who was Yohannan ben Zaccai, and why

was he important?5. Do you think that Jewish beliefs and

values would have spread so widely if the lands of Israel and Judah had not been conquered by other peoples? Explain.

1. God exists. 2. God is one and unique. 3. God is eternal. 4. Prayer is to be directed to God alone. 5. The words of the prophets are true. 6. Moses was the greatest prophet, and his prophecies are true. 7. The Torah was given to Moses. 8. There will be no other Torah. 9. God knows the thoughts and deeds of men. 10. God will reward the good and punish the wicked. 11. The Messiah will come. 12. The dead will be resurrected.

Impact of Ancient IsraelCovenant = formal agreement

between Hebrews and God (Yahweh); Hebrews worshipped God and only God, and in return, they would be God’s Chosen People and given Canaan as the Promised Land

Spiritual ideas profoundly influenced Western culture, morality, ethics and conduct

Three of the world’s most dominant religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam all derive their roots from the spiritual beliefs of the Ancient Israelites