The Ancient IsraelitesThe Growth of Judaism

The Jews continue their religion during their Exile in Babylon.

Jews spread their beliefs to the Greek world and regain control of Judah.

Religion reshaped the Jewish way of Life. Under Roman rule, the Jews were divided

and rebellious. In response, the Romans destroyed the temple and exiled the Jews.

Main Ideas

Time in Babylon was known as an exile, meaning forced to leave their homeland.

Jews met each week on the Sabbath, a day of worship and rest, in a synagogue, or a house of worship

These weekly meetings gave the Jewish people hope.

REVIEW: Who exiled the Babylonians?

Exile and Return

During 500 b.c. Persians defeated the Chaldeans

Persian King Cyrus, allowed Jews to return to Judah, but did not allow the Jews to have their own government or kings.

Jews relied on religious leaders who began working on the 5 books of the Torah, later known as the Hebrew Bible

Why did Jews return to Judah?

34 books collected together recalling events throughout Jewish History

Ex. Genesis (Noah’s Ark)

Ex. Daniel & the Lions Den

What is the Hebrew Bible?

In 334 b.c. Alexander the Great defeated the Persians

Allowed Jews to stay in Judah, but started teaching Greek ways to the people

During this time, Jews were scattered all over Egypt, Babylon, etc ( known as the Diaspora)

Jews of the Diaspora led to Jewish ideas being spread around the Mediterranean world.

The Jews and the Greeks

In 168 b.c., Greek leaders began to force their religious beliefs on the Jews

A priest named Judas Macabeus rebelled, fled to the hills and formed an army

After many battles, the Macabees drove the Greeks out of Judah and destroyed all traces of Greek and reclaimed their church.

Every year this event is celebrated (Hanukkah)

Who were the Macabees?

Family Life: Boys learned from father how to carry on family business; Girls learned how to run household from mother. (Book of Ruth)

Jewish Diet: Must eat certain animals and be cooked in specific ways. Called “Kosher”.

Jewish Clothing: Men wore tunics, women long simple dresses.

The Jewish way of Life

In 63 b.c. the Romans conquered Judah

King Herod made additions to the Jewish temples in Jerusalem

After King Herod, Romans replaced Jewish King with Roman officials

Jews were divided into three groups on how to deal with Romans:

◦ Pharisees (Oral Traditions)

◦ Sadducees (Written law and Commandments)

◦ Essenes (Prayed and Waited for change)

The Jews and the Romans

Jews hatred for Roman’s peaked

Waited for Messiah (deliverer from God)

The Zealots were a group of Jews who revolted and drove Romans out of Jerusalem

Only lasted 4 years until Romans took it back

Romans forbade Jews to live or even visit Jerusalem.

Renamed Judah Palestine

Jewish Revolts

Rabbis were teachers of the Torah

Famous Rabbi: Yohanan ben Zacca founded school that was center of Torah studies

Created Talmud which taught about all Jewish laws

2,000 years, Jews lived outside of Palestine

In 1947 Palestine was divided and in 1948 a new Jewish nation in Israel was created

Jewish Teachers