Abraham Moses Abraham Life Lived 1812 to 1637

Abraham & Moses

Abraham: Life Lived 1812 to 1637 BCE (probably) Born “Abram” From Ur, a city in Babylonia Dad was an idol merchant Abram disagreed with his father’s polytheism, and moved away. • Started teaching monotheism • • •

Story of the idols • “One day, when Abram was left alone to mind the store, he took a hammer and smashed all of the idols except the largest one. He placed the hammer in the hand of the largest idol. When his father returned and asked what happened, Abram said, "The idols got into a fight, and the big one smashed all the other ones. " His father said, "Don't be ridiculous. These idols have no life or power. They can't do anything. " Abram replied, "Then why do you worship them? “ • From • “Abraham. ” Jewish Virtual Library, AICE, 26 Feb. 2018, www. jewishvirtuallibrary. org/abraham.

The Calling • God made him a deal: If Abram left his family, God would give him a great nation and bless him. • This was the Covenant, and the beginnings of the Jewish people. • The Covenant was a deal between the Jewish people and God, with obligations on both sides.

Children • Was married to Sara, but had difficulty having children with her, as they were both getting older • Sara offered her maidservant, Hagar, as a wife to Abram. • With Hagar, he had a child named Ishmael who, according to both Jewish and Muslim tradition, is the ancestor of the Arabs • When Abram was 100 and Sara was 90, Sara gave birth to Isaac, who became the ancestor of the Jewish people. • After Isaac is born, God gives Abram the name “Abraham”, which means “Father of Many”

The test • God tested Abraham’s faith in a variety of ways. • The story of the sacrifice is the most significant. • Why do it? • Was it wrong to do it? • What is the nature of sacrifice?

Contributions to Judaism • Literally the father of the Jewish people • Introduced concept of monotheism to his people • Formed the Covenant with God (much more personal relationship than before) • His story emphasizes the importance of sacrifice and faith.

Moses: Life • Lived 1391– 1271 BCE (probably) • Born to a Hebrew family, but raised by the pharaoh of Egypt • Learns of his heritage, and leads his people from slavery and on to the “Promised Land” • Received the Ten Commandments from YHWH • [A good (if somewhat childlike) overview can be found here. ]

Contributions to Judaism • The most important prophet in Judaism • Protector and Lawgiver to the Jewish people • Outlined the Ten Commandments, the central doctrine of the Jewish faith • Tradition holds that he wrote the first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible (Torah)