The Ancient Hebrews & Judaism

The Chosen People & the Rise of

Monotheism

The First Patriarch: Abraham

• According to Torah tradition, lived around 2000-1750 B.C.

• Moved from Ur to Canaan• Book of Genesis account

says that Abraham was the father (patriarch) of the Hebrew nation

• Father of Isaac and grandfather of Jacob (Israel)

• Jacob’s 12 sons became the founders of the “twelve tribes of Israel”; migrated to Egypt

Moses: Leader & Lawgiver

• According to Torah tradition, lived between 1500-1200 B.C.

• Born in Egypt; fled to Midian and returned to…

• Lead the Hebrew slaves of Egypt to freedom in the Exodus

• Presented the Ten Commandments and led the Hebrews to the “Promised Land” of Canaan

• Traditionally considered as theauthor of the Torah

Judaism’s View of CreationGenesis 1-3 presents a positive view of CreationMajor concepts:*God brings about Creation*man created in God’s image*Eden = paradise on earth*man’s stewardship over nature*Adam and Eve tempted by Satan*The Fall – disobedience leads to sin and separation from God

The Covenant of Abraham• Genesis 12• Abraham left

Mesopotamia based on God’s command

• Moved from a polytheistic culture to a monotheistic belief system

• God rewards Abraham’s obedience with blessing

• Abraham’s descendants = the chosen ones, who will lead humanity back into fellowship with God

The Ten Commandments• Exodus 20• Ethical code of

conduct• Reflects

monotheistic beliefs: commands 1-4 = respect for God

• Emphasis on social morality: commands 5-10 = respect for others

Atonement for Sin

Leviticus 17Blood sacrifice required to pay the price of sinRestores right relationship with GodYom Kippur = Day of AtonementSacrifices offered in the tabernacle, later the Temple of Jerusalem

Confession of Faith

*Deuteronomy 6*“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”*The Shema emphasizes a personal relationship between the believer and God*Equality of all before God*God is ONE – emphasis on monotheism

Foundation of the Kingdom of Israel• By 1000 B.C., King David

defeated the Philistines and established Jerusalem as the capital of the Kingdom of Israel

• David’s son, Solomon, built the first Temple as the religious center of Jewish life

• The Jewish people split into two kingdoms (Israel & Judah) after Solomon’s death around 920 B.C.

Israel Falls to the Assyrians

• Based in their capital of Nineveh, the Assyrians swiftly conquered much of the Middle East starting around 850 B.C.

• Assyrian military might was based on the use of iron weapons and armor, advanced siege tactics, and sheer brutality

• In 722 B.C., the Assyrians destroyed the Kingdom of Israel

• By 650 B.C., they controlled Mesopotamia, Syria, Phoenicia, Palestine, and Egypt

The Babylonian Captivity

• In 612 B.C, the Chaldeans and their allies, the Medes, destroyed Nineveh

• The Chaldeans restored Babylon as the capital of their new empire, which occupied much of Assyria’s former territories

• Nebuchadnezzar created a powerful Neo-Babylonian Empire by 600 B.C.

• Jerusalem (Kingdom of Judah) fell and the Temple was destroyed in 586 B.C.

• Many Jews were taken into captivity by the Chaldeans and removed to the region around Babylon for 70 years

Hanging Gardens of Babylon(depicted above); Fall of Jerusalem(left)