The Spread of The Spread of JudaismJudaism

How Judaism survived and spread How Judaism survived and spread throughout the world.throughout the world.

Central Beliefs of Central Beliefs of JudaismJudaism Monotheism – One GodMonotheism – One God Following God’s Law ( Following God’s Law ( 10 10

CommandmentsCommandments)) Equality and Social Justice: Equality and Social Justice:

everyone is equal in God’s eye, everyone is equal in God’s eye, help to care for the less fortunatehelp to care for the less fortunate

Importance of Study: study the Importance of Study: study the TorahTorah

Judges and KingsJudges and Kings JudgesJudges were warriors or prophets who would were warriors or prophets who would

inspire an army of volunteers to defend their inspire an army of volunteers to defend their homeland. Prophets encouraged the Hebrews homeland. Prophets encouraged the Hebrews to keep their faith. to keep their faith.

2 women became judges: Deborah and Ruth2 women became judges: Deborah and Ruth The time of judges ended when Saul became The time of judges ended when Saul became

king.king. After Saul, David became king and captured After Saul, David became king and captured

Jerusalem.Jerusalem. Solomon, David’s son, built a great temple in Solomon, David’s son, built a great temple in

Jerusalem.Jerusalem.

Foreign DominationForeign Domination Fall of Judah in 597 BCE and the Fall of Judah in 597 BCE and the

destruction of the temple built by destruction of the temple built by Solomon in 587 BCE threatened Solomon in 587 BCE threatened the survival of the Jewish beliefs.the survival of the Jewish beliefs.

Became slaves in Babylon for ½ a Became slaves in Babylon for ½ a century (597 BCE- 538 BCE).century (597 BCE- 538 BCE).

Jewish DiasporaJewish Diaspora When the Hebrews were captured When the Hebrews were captured

and became slaves in Babylon, and became slaves in Babylon, they called it the Jewish Diasporathey called it the Jewish Diaspora

DiasporaDiaspora means “scattering” or means “scattering” or spreading out throughout the spreading out throughout the world.world.

Never again would most of the Never again would most of the Hebrews be together in one single Hebrews be together in one single homeland, even today. homeland, even today.

Diaspora: Exile from Diaspora: Exile from homelandhomeland

Continued…Continued…

In 539 BCE the Babylonians were conquered In 539 BCE the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians, until Cyrus the Great, king of by the Persians, until Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, allowed them to go home because Persia, allowed them to go home because Cyrus tolerated other religions. Some went Cyrus tolerated other religions. Some went back to Judah where they re-built some of the back to Judah where they re-built some of the temple, others stayed in Babylon.temple, others stayed in Babylon.

Judah was ruled by the Persians and the Judah was ruled by the Persians and the Greeks for over 400 years. Some rulers were Greeks for over 400 years. Some rulers were kind, but most of the time they were harsh.kind, but most of the time they were harsh.

And then there were And then there were the Romansthe Romans In 70 CE the Roman military conquered the In 70 CE the Roman military conquered the

Hebrews and destroyed Jerusalem and its Hebrews and destroyed Jerusalem and its temple. All that was left was the western temple. All that was left was the western part of the wall. part of the wall.

They seized Jewish land and forbade the They seized Jewish land and forbade the Hebrews from entering Jerusalem. Hebrews from entering Jerusalem. Thousands were sent to other parts of the Thousands were sent to other parts of the Roman Empire.Roman Empire.

The Hebrews lost their homeland and their The Hebrews lost their homeland and their holy city.holy city.

Preserving and Preserving and Passing on the FaithPassing on the Faith They were spread out throughout Africa, Asia, and They were spread out throughout Africa, Asia, and

Europe but they were able to keep the faith alive.Europe but they were able to keep the faith alive. Rabbi Yohanan ben ZaccaiRabbi Yohanan ben Zaccai: he begged the : he begged the

Hebrews to surrender in order to save the faith. Hebrews to surrender in order to save the faith. When the Hebrews refused, he went to the When the Hebrews refused, he went to the Romans.Romans.

He pleaded to start a Jewish school in the Roman He pleaded to start a Jewish school in the Roman Empire’s Yavneh (right outside of Judah) so when Empire’s Yavneh (right outside of Judah) so when Jerusalem fell, Yavneh became the center of Jerusalem fell, Yavneh became the center of Jewish life. Jewish life.

They taught other Rabbi’s and other people the They taught other Rabbi’s and other people the faith so when they returned home to their people faith so when they returned home to their people they were able to spread the faith to them.they were able to spread the faith to them.

Continued….Continued….

New Teachers and PracticesNew Teachers and Practices Rabbi’s created Rabbi’s created synagoguessynagogues (a place of (a place of

worship, meeting, and study). This allowed worship, meeting, and study). This allowed them to strengthen their communities and them to strengthen their communities and faith, and why Judaism is still worshipped faith, and why Judaism is still worshipped around the world today!around the world today!