The Struggle To The Struggle To Preserve JudaismPreserve Judaism

How the Hebrews lost their How the Hebrews lost their homeland.homeland.

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

Diaspora means “scattering” or Diaspora 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.

Central Beliefs of Central Beliefs of JudaismJudaism MonotheismMonotheism Following God’s LawFollowing God’s Law 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

Foreign DominationForeign Domination

Fall of Judah in 597 BCE and the Fall of Judah in 597 BCE and the destruction of the temple in 586 destruction of the temple in 586 BCE threatened the survival of BCE threatened the survival of the Jewish beliefs.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).

Prophets encouraged the Prophets encouraged the Hebrews to keep their faith. Hebrews to keep their faith.

Continued…Continued…

In 539 BCE the Babylonians were conquered by the In 539 BCE the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians, and the King released the Hebrews. Some Persians, and the King released the Hebrews. Some went back to Judah where they re-built some of the went 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 Greeks for Judah was ruled by the Persians and the Greeks for over 400 years. Some rules were kind, but most of over 400 years. Some rules were kind, but most of the time they were harsh.the time they were harsh.

The Greeks tried to force the Hebrews to worship The Greeks tried to force the Hebrews to worship Greek Gods in their own temple. Greek Gods in their own temple.

In 168 BCE the Hebrews rebelled and started a war In 168 BCE the Hebrews rebelled and started a war that would last 24 years.that would last 24 years.

In 164 BCE they drove the Greeks from Jerusalem and In 164 BCE they drove the Greeks from Jerusalem and were able to reclaim the temple. This is the reason for were able to reclaim the temple. This is the reason for the celebration of Hanukkah.the celebration of Hanukkah.

And then there were And then there were the Romansthe Romans The Hebrews lived independently for 88 years, but later The Hebrews lived independently for 88 years, but later

conquered by the Romans in 63 BCE.conquered by the Romans in 63 BCE. Quick to end rebellion: more than 50,000 Hebrews were Quick to end rebellion: more than 50,000 Hebrews were

executed under their rule.executed under their rule. Romans did allow the Hebrews to practice their religion and Romans did allow the Hebrews to practice their religion and

govern some of their own affairs.govern some of their own affairs. In 66 CE the Hebrews rose up against the Romans and were In 66 CE the Hebrews rose up against the Romans and were

able to keep them from Jerusalem for three years. able to keep them from Jerusalem for three years. In 70 CE the Roman military conquered the Hebrews and In 70 CE the Roman military conquered the Hebrews and

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

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

The Hebrews lost their homeland and their holy city.The Hebrews lost their homeland and their 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 Rabi’s and other people the They taught other Rabi’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 Any adult male can read from the Torah; now Any adult male can read from the Torah; now

the people do not need a trained leader to the people do not need a trained leader to learn the laws and history of Judaism.learn the laws and history of Judaism.

Rabbi’s created synagogues (place of Rabbi’s created synagogues (place of worship and study). This allowed them to worship and study). This allowed them to strengthen their communities and faith.strengthen their communities and faith.

Struggled with prejudice and persecution Struggled with prejudice and persecution until today, but in 1948 they were given their until today, but in 1948 they were given their homeland back by the British. However, they homeland back by the British. However, they are still fighting for their land.are still fighting for their land.