Ancient Religions: The Holy Land

Ch. 17: Middle East History & Culture

• https://app.discoveryeducation.com/learn/videos/92b071cb-303b-4197-a92b-2ae03c83f982

• Overview of 3 major religions• https://app.discoveryeducation.com/learn/vid

eos/3D9C5EE4-D55E-4C20-9173-4D372694E532?hasLocalHost=false

Terms

• Atheist Someone who does not believe in a God

• Agnostic name given to a person who does not know if God exists

• Monotheistic belief in one God• Polytheistic believing in multiple Gods

3 Monotheistic Religions

- Judaism- 2000 BCE

- Islam- 600 AD

- Christianity- 30 AD

Birthplace of Monotheistic Religions • The Middle East is the birthplace of Monotheism

or the believe in one god. • Three of the world’s leading monotheistic religions

were formed here. • Judaism• Christianity• Islam

JUDAISM: Quick Facts• Began more than 4,000 years ago circa

2,000 BCE • The “Mother” religion to Christianity and

Islam• Jews originates from Judean, member of

the tribe Judah• Jews only follow the Old Testament • Jews do not believe Jesus was the son of

God• Jerusalem (capital of Israel) is their modern

and ancient homeland

ABRAHAMFather of Judaism/Christianity/Islam

-Born in Ur (Iraq) and son of an idol merchant, but he questioned the faith of his father and sought the truth. -Believed that the entire universe was the work of a single Creator, and he began to teach this belief to others.-The one believed to be the single Creator, God, wanted Abraham to leave his home and his family. Then, God would make him a great nation and bless him.

God’s Covenant with Abraham

• Covenant: An agreement• If Abraham and his descendants keep God’s

commandments, Abraham would have many descendants throughout the nations.

• He was willing to sacrifice his first son to God. God decided he did not have to and sent him a ram instead. Due to his respect for God’s wishes, the covenant was sealed.

Abraham was subjected to ten tests of faith to prove his worthiness for this covenant. Leaving his home was one of these trials.

Abraham adopted a nomadic lifestyle, traveling through what is now the land of Israel for many years. G-d promised this land to Abraham's descendants.

But Abraham was concerned because he had no children and he was growing old.

-Abraham's wife, Sarah, knew that she was past child-bearing years, so she offered her maidservant, Hagar, as a wife to Abraham. -According to tradition, Hagar was a daughter of Pharaoh, given to Abraham during his travels in Egypt. She bore Abraham a son, Ishmael, who, according to both Muslim and Jewish tradition, is the ancestor of the Arabs. - When Abraham was 100 and Sarah 90, God promised Abraham a son by Sarah. Sarah bore Abraham a son, Isaac. He was the ancestor of the Jewish people. Thus, the conflict between Arabs and Jews can be seen as a form of sibling rivalry!

ORIGINS• Centuries passed: the Israelites, the descendants of

Jacob, Isaac’s son, became slaves in Egypt.

• Suffered under the hand of later Pharaohs.

• G-d brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses.

• Canaan (The Promised Land): commonly known as the land of Israel

Canaan and Modern Day Israel

10th Plague• G-d strikes 10 plagues on Egypt in anger of the

Israelites enslavement• All firstborn children of Egypt are killed at the

stroke of midnight• The spirit of the Lord knew to “pass over” the

homes of the Israelites (as their doors were marked with blood) thus saving their children

• When the pharaoh’s son was killed, he finally told Moses to take his people and leave Egypt

Moses & the Exodus- G-d inflicted 10 plagues- out of anger for

enslaving the Israelites- Moses led the exodus from Egypt into

the Sinai Desert where Moses received the 10 commandments

- Wandered for 40 years - Moses dies seeing Canaan- Joshua leads them into Canaan

Promised Land

Jewish Law• Based on the Ten Commandments

• 1-4: duty to G-d• 5-10: conduct toward others

Kingdom of Israel- Israelite tribes led by

biblical judges- Around 1020 BCE, Saul

the first King and formed Kingdom of Israel but constant conflict

- 1000 BCE: David united Israelites and named Jerusalem as capital

- 961 BCE: Solomon improved Jerusalem and tried to increase Israel’s influence

Division and Conquest-930 BCE: Rehoboam: Solomon’s son

-Unrest, high taxes, and forced labor

- Kingdom split!

- Israel in the North

- Judah in the South

- 722 BCE Israel fell to Assyria- 586 BCE Judah fell to Babylon

Babylonian Captivity

- Many of the Jews taken to exile in Babylon.

- Persians conquered Babylon.- King Cyrus permitted the Jews to

return to their homelands and many returned to Judah.

- Jew replaced Israelites (after the remaining tribe called Judah)

Diaspora- Judea ruled by Greeks, Egyptians,

Syrians and Romans.

- 134 CE: Romans attacked and Jews were killed, enslaved and dispersed to surrounding countries in Europe and North Africa.

Vocabulary• Torah: First five books of Hebrew bible, basic

teachings of Judaism

• Synagogue: Jewish house of worship and center of Jewish community

• Rabbi: religious teacher and leader, authorized to make decisions on Jewish law

Synagogues Synagogues Orignally a place where 10 men can go

and worship and study Most Jewish rituals take place in

synagogues The Congregation Schara Tzedeck is the

largest synagogue in Vancouver it is located on Oak street in downtown Vancouver

The Rabbi is the one who is in charge of the synagogue and teaches Judaism

Jewish sacred Places• Jerusalem- King Solomon built the First

Temple- destroyed by Babylonians in 586 BC• Second Temple- built after Jews returned to

their homeland.

• Western Wall- Only remaining piece of the Second Temple (destroyed by Romans in 70 AD)

Jewish sacred places

• https://app.discoveryeducation.com/learn/videos/3D9C5EE4-D55E-4C20-9173-4D372694E532?hasLocalHost=false

Take A Look at Jews Praying at the Western Wall• http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/

Judaism/Western_Wall.html

• Webcam of the Western Wall

Vocabulary cont’d.: Holidays

• Sabbath: Day of rest and spiritual enrichment (Friday night to Saturday night)

• Rosh Hashanah: Jewish new year; the beginning of September- celebrates the creation of the world– God is thought to judge everyone during 10 days

between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur• Yom Kippur: day of atonement; most important

holiday; marks the end of the 10-day penitence period

Hanukkah• http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/hanu

kkah• 8-day celebration commemorating the

dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem where the Jews rose up against Greek-Syrian oppressors in a revolt (after the first temple was destroyed by Babylonians)

Bar and Bat Mitzvah

• Means “son” or “daughter of the commandments”

• Coming of age ceremony• Study the Torah, recite prayers• Officially allowed to be “called up” (aliyah) to

read from the Torah and can conduct prayers• May lead communal prayers

Kippahs (Yamakas or skullcaps)

• Men must have their head covered at all times(traditionally)- Represents that G-d is always watching over

them, “above them”- Covered at all times during prayer- Sign of respect

Symbols

Mezuzah- piece of parchment inside decorative case placed outside door of Jewish home, inscribed with prayers from Torah-Some Jewish law requires all homes have one-To fulfill the mitzvah (commandment), reward is long life for oneself and children-Function to protect house from Evil

The Star of David is the universal symbol of Judaism

Thought to represent shape of King David’s shield or connection between three entites- Torah, the Holy One, and Israel

The Star of David appears on synagogues, the state flag of Israel, and Jewish ritaul objects

The star is made of two triangles Appeared early as the 960’s BCAppeared outside synagogues to

distinguish them

Star of David Star of David

Popular in Zionist movement

During the Holocaust all Jewish people had to wear the Star of David on their arm to show that they were Jewish

The Hebrew term for the Star of David is Magen David

Basic Beliefs

• God chose them to set an example of ethical behavior for rest of the world

• Rules/laws laid out in Torah (1st five books of the Christians Old Testament in the Bible)

• Observe the Sabbath (holy day)• Obey the 10 Commandments

CHRISTIANITY

Jerusalem: Around 33 CE

The Basics• Founded in the Middle East by Jesus Christ, a Jewish man

• Jerusalem- also sacred place for Christians- location of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection

• When lands were under Muslim control, Christians launched The Crusades (Holy wars) to save the lands and regain them under Christian control (eventually returned to control of Muslims until WWI)

• Spread to become the world’s largest religion

JESUS OF NAZARETH• According to the Gospels (believed to be an

accurate and authoritative representation of the life of Jesus)

• The awaited Messiah: a leader or savior of a group• Born in Bethlehem in Judea: small town near

Jerusalem• Around 30, became a preacher• Refused to view Emperor as God• 33 CE-Crucified on a cross under Pontius Pilate:

governor of Judea

JESUS’ TEACHINGS• Rooted in Jewish tradition of monotheism

• Upheld 10 commandments

• Forgiving God

• Humble, merciful, unselfish: eternal life

• Used parables, short stories

THE RESURRECTION (REBIRTH)

• Matthew’s Gospel: 3 days after crucifixion, some friends of Jesus went to visit his tomb.

• Jesus had risen from the dead.

• He met with his disciples for forty days

• He instructed them to “spread Christianity by making disciples in all nations.”

Crucifixion • Many Jewish leaders hated Jesus (because he

condemned their sins) and people denounced him as the Messiah

• Took him to Pontius Pilate, a Roman governor, to have him convicted

• Despite little evidence against his wrongdoing, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion

• Crucifixion occurred outside Jerusalem in a place called Golgotha (“Place of the Skull”)

• Story is re-told in New Testament Gospels

THE RESURRECTION (REBIRTH)

• Matthew’s Gospel: 3 days after crucifixion, some friends of Jesus went to visit his tomb.

• Jesus had risen from the dead.

• He met with his disciples for forty days

• He instructed them to “spread Christianity by making disciples in all nations.”

BEGINNINGS

•Peter (or Simon Peter) (one of Jesus’ 12 Apostles) opened the church of Jesus Christ on the earth and preached salvation through baptism and repentance.•Said to have founded the first official Catholic Church in Rome

• Jewish Christianity: the Twelve Apostles dispersed from Jerusalem and spread Christianity beyond the Roman Empire

• Early Christianity gradually grew apart from Judaism during the first two centuries and established itself as a predominantly gentile religion in the Roman Empire.

SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY• Thousands became martyrs: suffer or die for

beliefs

• 313 CE-Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity

• 395 CE-Official religion of Roman Empire

• 1900: Christianity had spread onto every continent.

RITES OF PASSAGE

• BAPTISM: John the Baptist, an induction into Christian society, use water as a symbol of spiritual purification and cleansing, often given a name which is called christening.

• DEATH: (funeral) Passage to eternal life: people are judged according to how they lived their lives, heaven, hell, or purgatory awaits.

SYMBOLS

• LATIN CROSS: Represents the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Principal symbol in Christianity

• ICTHUS: Greek word for fish. • Early Christians, fearful of persecution,

identified themselves to one another with this secret symbol.

• LINKED CIRCLES: Three linked circles stand for the unity of God.

• DOVE OF PEACE: Symbolizes God’s spirit at the Baptism of Jesus.

• LAMB OF GOD: John the Baptist’s description of Jesus and recalls the Passover lamb and the resurrection of Jesus.

• ALPHA AND OMEGA: The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Represent the beginning and end, meaning that God is all.

Basic Beliefs

• Accept Jesus as Messiah• Accept and follow the 10 Commandments as

ethic rules to live by• Utilize the Bible, especially the New Testament

for teachings (written by the disciples, or followers of Christ)

ISLAM“Submission to God”

Formed 622 CE

The Basics

• Based on teachings of its founder, Muhammed• Lived in city of Mecca• Followers known as Muslims• Belief in one god, do not believe in rebirth• God known as Allah• Believe that the Torah, like the Bible, is the word

of God the Qur’an (or Koran) written in Arabic

A video of Islam. • http://www.5min.com/Video/What-Is-Islam-8278

Abraham’s Genealogy

ABRAHAM SARAHHAGAR

Isaac

EsauJacob

12 Tribes of Israel

Ishmael

12 Arabian Tribes

The Prophetic TraditionAdam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

Jesus

Muhammad

The Mosque The Muslim place of prayer/worship.

The Dome of the Rock Mosque in

Jerusalem

Mount Moriah Rockwhere Muhammad ascended into heaven.

SUNNIS AND SHIITES

• Sunni: (90%) Democratic election of caliph (religious and political head of Islam), more accepting of Western democracy

• Shiite: (10%) Succession of caliph based on blood relationship to Muhammad (Mostly in Iran and Iraq)

Main Beliefs of Islam

5 Pillars of Islam

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1. Faith:

Belief in one God and that Muhammad is His prophet.

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1. The Shahada

1

The testimony. The declaration of faith:There is no god worthy of There is no god worthy of worship except God, andworship except God, andMuhammad is HisMuhammad is HisMessenger [or Prophet].Messenger [or Prophet].

SHAHADASHAHADA: A brief prayer proclaiming the oneness of

God and faith in IslamThe Shahada states: “There is no God but Allah,and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”• The Shahada written in Arabic (written from right to

left)

2. Prayer (Salat):5 times a day: facing Mecca

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2. The Salat

2

The mandatory prayers performed 5 times a day: * dawn * noon * late afternoon * sunset * before going to bed Wash before praying. Face Mecca and use a prayer rug.

2. The Salat

2

The call to prayer by the muezzin in the minaret. Pray in the mosque on Friday.

3. Alms (Zakat)

Giving money to the poor is REQUIRED, not optional

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3. The Zakat

3

Almsgiving (charitable donations). Muslims believe that all things belong to God. Zakat means both “purification” and “growth.” About 2.5% of your income.

4. Fasting (Sawm)

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims cannot eat or drink anything during the daylight hours.

Month of inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control

9th month of Islamic calendar when the Quran was revealed

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4. The Sawm

4

Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. Considered a method of self- purification. No eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.

5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Once in their lives – IF they can afford it, Muslims make a

pilgrimage to Mecca

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5. The Hajj

5

The pilgrimage to Mecca. Must be done at least once in a Muslim’s lifetime. 2-3 million Muslims make the pilgrimage every year.

RamadanRamadan• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ikpzGMoB5Y• 99thth month of Islamic calendar month of Islamic calendar• Fast during daylight hoursFast during daylight hours• Commemorates Qur’an being revealed to Commemorates Qur’an being revealed to

Muhammad Muhammad • Includes giving up something, fasting, prayer, reading Includes giving up something, fasting, prayer, reading

the Qur’anthe Qur’an• Ends with Eid ul Fitr- feastingEnds with Eid ul Fitr- feasting• Similar to Jewish Yom Kippur (atonement) and Similar to Jewish Yom Kippur (atonement) and

Christian Lenten seasonChristian Lenten season

The Crescent and the Star

• Principal symbol in Islam• Symbolic of solace and understanding offered by

Islam• As the waxing moon increases in light, the star

provides direction (Islam guides the faithful towards Allah)

• Color of Islam: green

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ABRAHAM AND THE KA’BAH

• Abraham and Hagar (servant)= Ishmael• Abraham and Ishmael built the Ka’Bah (Holy House)• City of Mecca: Near the Zamzam Well• God told Abraham to have worshipers make a

pilgrimage to Ka’Bah

THE KA’BAH

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m03pCXxpKo

• Oval stone in the Ka’bah: worshipers kiss it for forgiveness

OVAL BLACK STONE

• Stone fell from Heaven to show Adam and Eve where to build an altar, which became the first temple on Earth. Muslims believe that the stone was originally pure and dazzling white, but has since turned black because of the sins of the people. Adam's altar and the stone were said to have been lost during Noah's Flood and forgotten. Abraham was said to have later found the Black Stone at the original site of Adam's altar when the angel Gabriel revealed it to him. Abraham ordered his son Ishmael — who is an ancestor of Muhammad — to build a new temple, the Kaaba, in which to embed the Stone.

PROPHET MUHAMMAD• Believed by Muslims to be the last in a long

line of prophets that includes Moses and Jesus.

MUHAMMAD• Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 570 CE into

the most powerful tribe • Polytheism: gods were thought to protect

trade routes intersecting in Mecca• At 25, after working as a merchant, was hired

by Khadija, a wealthy widow. They eventually married.

• Contact with various cultures and religions• Gap between rich and poor widened;

Muhammad questioned his life

• 40: visions and voices • The Archangel Gabriel instructed him to recite

"in the name of your lord.” • First of many revelations that became the

basis of the Quran, the holy book of Islam.• Existence of a single God• Monotheistic message angered many of the

Meccan merchants. • Muhammad was ostracized in Mecca.

MEDINA, SAUDI ARABIA• 622 C.E.: headed to Medina where promised

freedom to practice their religion • Move from Mecca to Medina: hijra (the flight)• Built a community around the faith/ returned to

Mecca and took over the city

ASCENSION• While the Prophet was sleeping, the Archangel

Gabriel led him on a journey• Muhammad traveled from the Ka'ba in Mecca

to a Mosque in Jerusalem. • There he prayed with other prophets such as

Moses, Abraham, and Jesus, and ascended to the skies

• Led by Gabriel through Paradise and Hell, and finally came face to face with God.

• He then returned to earth to continue spreading the message of Islam.

DEATH

• Died 632 CE without a son, leaving the question of the next successor.

• Led to the division of the Sunni and the Shiite

The Crescent and the Star

• Principal symbol in Islam• Symbolic of solace and understanding offered by

Islam• As the waxing moon increases in light, the star

provides direction (Islam guides the faithful towards Allah)

• Color of Islam: green

Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Once in their lives – IF they can afford it, Muslims make a

pilgrimage to Mecca

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Vocabulary:

MOSQUE: a Muslim place of worship

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Mosque: Cairo, Egypt

Inside the Mosque

Blue Mosque: Istanbul Turkey

Interior of the Blue Mosque

Indonesian mosque

Mosque in Arizona

Vocabulary:

QURAN (or KORAN): Muslim holy book

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The Quran

Husain and Hamza Abdullah

http://rockcenter.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/29/15520155-muslim-brothers-sacrifice-big-nfl-paychecks-for-spiritual-journey-to-mecca?lite

Basic Beliefs

• Believe in one god (Allah)• Do not believe in rebirth• Muslims learn teachings of Allah and the

Koran

Other Islamic Religious Practices

Up to four wives allowed at once. No alcohol or pork. No gambling. Sharia body of Islamic law to regulate daily living. Three holiest cities in Islam: * Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem.

Essential Question:

Why was Islam able to spread so quickly and

convert so many to the new religion?

The Spread of Islam Easy to learn and practice. No priesthood. Teaches equality. Non-Muslims, who were “Peoples of the Book,” were allowed religious freedom, but paid additional taxes. Easily “portable” nomads & trade routes. Jihad (“Holy War”) against pagans and other non-believers (“infidels”).

Muslims in the WorldToday

Countries with the Largest Muslim

Population1. Indonesia 183,000,00

06. Iran 62,000,000

2. Pakistan 134,000,000

7. Egypt 59,000,000

3. India 121,000,000

8. Nigeria 53,000,000

4. Bangladesh

114,000,000

9. Algeria 31,000,000

5. Turkey 66,000,000 10. Morocco 29,000,000

* Arabs make up only 20% of the total Muslim population of the

world.

VocabularyVocabulary• JihadJihad- in Arabic translates to “struggling” or - in Arabic translates to “struggling” or

“surviving”“surviving”– Can be considered a “holy war”- a struggle against Can be considered a “holy war”- a struggle against

non-believers non-believers – Working to inform people of Islamic faithWorking to inform people of Islamic faith– Term has been misused over the years to justify Term has been misused over the years to justify

acts of violence against the established Islamic acts of violence against the established Islamic orderorder

– Some say this misuses the true meaning of JihadSome say this misuses the true meaning of Jihad– Crusades were justified (struggle against Christians)Crusades were justified (struggle against Christians)

Muslims in America

Muslim Culture in NYC

The Islamic Center, New York City

On the back of your paper, or on a notebook On the back of your paper, or on a notebook paper, copy this chart:paper, copy this chart:Judaism Christianity Islam

Polytheism or Monotheism

Holy Book

Places of Worship

Places of Origin

Founder

Basic beliefs