ANCIENT HEBREWS Jews in PalestineIsrael SPECIALIZED WORKERS v

ANCIENT HEBREWS Jews in Palestine/Israel

SPECIALIZED WORKERS v Abraham – a shepherd chosen by God to be the “father” or 1 st of the Hebrew people according to the Torah. v Slaves – forced into slavery in Egypt. Later led out of slavery by Moses. v Settled herders, farmers and city dwellers. v Separate roles for men and women in society. v Religious teachers were called prophets

COMPLEX INSTITUTIONS v God = Yahweh v Monotheism was unique to the Hebrews for the time. v Covenant made between Abraham and God – God protects them as long as they obey him. v Passover celebrates being freed from slavery. v Were originally organized into 12 tribes that were self -governing but during times of crisis would be led by Judges. v Tribes united under 3 kings – Saul, David and Solomon – formed kingdom of Israel.

ADVANCED CITIES v Ur – in Mesopotamia is where Abraham was born. v Abraham moved his people to Canaan. v Later, they moved to Egypt, then back to Canaan. v Jerusalem established under King David.

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY v Learned iron smelting from neighboring peoples and produced iron tools and weapons. v Solomon built temple to hold the Ark of the Covenant, which held the tablets of Moses’ law. v Bronze used in building.

RECORD KEEPING v Torah containing the teachings and history of the Hebrew people. v Ten Commandments – given to Moses by God – became basis of the civil and religious laws of Judaism. v Ideas influenced Christianity and Islam. v Taxes were used to pay for massive building projects.