Chapter 6 Lesson 1 Israelite Beginnings Beginnings Judaism

Chapter 6, Lesson 1 Israelite Beginnings

Beginnings ► Judaism religion. is both an ancient and modern § Means it is still practiced today. ► Most ancient religions worshipped many deities (gods). § This was known as polytheism. ►A group of people in Southwest Asia known as Israelites. § Unlike other cultures of this time, they only worshipped one god (monotheism is the belief of one god. )

Beginnings Israelites believed that God sent prophets (messengers) to share God’s word with the people and included: § God created and ruled the world. § God was powerful but also very good. § God expects goodness from his people. ► Prophets believed that people could connect personally to God through prayer, religious study, and good and just acts. ► The § The practice of monotheism (belief in only one god) made Judaism unique among ancient religions.

The Hebrew Bible ► Israelites recorded their beliefs and history. § This book was known as the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh. ► Through this book, the beliefs and faith os the Israelites became the religion of Judaism. § The followers are known as Jews. ► Although their population was small, their influence was large. § Influenced two other major religions (Christianity and Islam. ) ► Christians call the Hebrew Bible the Old Testament.

The Hebrew Bible ► Christianity grew out of Judaism ► Islam also accepted many Judaism’s beliefs and practices. § Judaism influenced the values, ethics, and principles of many other societies.

Abraham ► Great changes came to the Mediterranean Region in around 1200 B. C. § Egypt’s empire ended. § New people, including the Israelites entered the region. ► The Israelites relied on herding and trading to survive. § According to the Hebrew Bible, Abraham and his family moved into Canaan (KAY-nuhn) [Now Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan] from Mesopotamia.

Abraham ► According to Jewish belief, Abraham and his family were the ancestors of the ancient Israelites. The Hebrew Bible: § informs us of Abraham’s family and the early history of the Israelites. § Says God told him Canaan would belong to his descendants forever. § Says he and his wife, Sarah, and his family, accepted the promise and went to live in Canaan. ► This land is usually known as the Promise Land because it was God’s promise to him.

Isaac and Jacob ► After Abraham died, his son Isaac and later his grandson Jacob would lead the family. § Jacob would eventually be given a new name (Israel, meaning “one who struggles with God”) by an angel. ► As states in the Hebrew Bible, Jacob’s 12 sons became leader of tribes (separate family groups. ) § These were the ancestors of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

Isaac and Jacob ► Jacob’s family would eventually have to leave Canaan due to a famine. § They migrated to Egypt and lived their for many generations. ► As the Israelite population increased, the Egyptian pharaoh grew uneasy. § Felt that one day the Israelites would rebel and to prevent this enslaved the Israelites.

Moses and the Exodus ► The Israelites were forced to do hard labor and would pray to God to be set free. § According to the Hebrew Bible, Moses would be a prophet to be their deliverer (from slavery). § He saw a bush in flames where he was informed by God to inform the pharaoh to release the Israelites. ► He met with the pharaoh and demanded the release of the Israelites. § When the pharaoh refused, the Hebrew Bible says that God sent 10 plagues upon Egypt.

Moses and Exodus ► These plagues were events that caused problems for Egypt. § Locusts (grasshopper that often migrate in large numbers) devouring fields. § Outbreaks of diseases also occurred. ► This finally convinced the pharaoh to release the Israelites. § The pharaoh would send his army to pursue them. ► When the Israelites reached the Red Sea, they had no way to get across. § The Hebrew Bible says states that God parted the sea to let his people cross to the other side.

Moses and Exodus ► When the armies tried to follow across the Red Sea, the waters flooded back and drowned them. ► The departure out of slavery from Egypt is known as Exodus. § Today, Jews celebrate a holy day called Passover to remember their freedom from slavery.

The Covenant ► According to the Hebrew Bible, the Israelites received a covenant (agreement) with God. § God promised to deliver them to Canaan safely if they followed his laws. ► Moses climbed Mount Sinai as God’s chosen leader, where he received laws from God known as the Torah and would become the first part of the Hebrew Bible. § It made clear what God considered right and wrong § One important part of the Torah was the Ten Commandments.

The Covenant ► Loyalty to God is the central idea of the Ten Commandments. It included: § Gods name must never be misused. § They were not allowed to worship other gods or images. ► These would become the basis for both Christianity and Islam. ► The Ten Commandments later helped shape the moral principles of many nations. § For instance, killing and stealing are originally listed in the Ten Commandments. § It contributed to the democratic belief that laws should apply equally to all.

The Land of Canaan ► The Hebrew Bible states that Moses died before the Israelite reached the land God had promised them. § Joshua was the new leader to continue leading them to Canaan. ► When they arrived they found other people living their. § The people were Canaanites and a bit later, the Philistines and they worshipped many gods and goddesses and had a different ways of life.

Who Were the Canaanites? ► Nomadic tribes probably settled in Canaan as early as 3000 B. C. § At first, most people were herders and traveled with their flocks of sheep and other animals from pasture to pasture. § They would later settle into villages, farmed the land, and learned to trade. ► One Canaanite group was the Phoenicians. § Lived in cities along the Mediterranean Sea in northern Canaan and were skilled sailors and talented traders.

Who Were the Canaanites? ► They used the sun and stars to navigate in the sea. § Traded goods with across the Mediterranean Sea to Greece, Spain, and even western Africa and may even have made it to the British Isles. ► They soon controlled the Mediterranean shipping and trade. § Exchanged cedar logs, glass, and jewelry for tin and other precious metals. § One Phoenician product was purple dyed cloth. § The dye was extracted from shellfish along the Phoenician coast.

Who Were the Canaanites? ► They set up settlements along the Mediterranean as a result of trading. § Carthage, (located on the coast of North Africa) would become the most powerful city in the Western Mediterranean. ► As a result of these settlements, Phoenician ideas and goods spread to other peoples. § One of the Phoenicians important contributions was an alphabet (group of letters that stand for sounds. ) and could be used to spell words in their language. § The alphabet made writing simpler and helped people keep better records.

Philistines ► The Philistines migrated to Canaan from near present-day Greece. § Were known as the “Sea People” who invaded the Mediterranean area about 1200 B. C. § Set up five walled towns along the Mediterranean coast. § Skilled in making iron tools and weapons, which helped make them the strongest army in Canaan. ► They kept their own language and religion. § They did accept many ideas and practices from their neighbors in Canaan.

Military Conquest ► The Israelites faced a challenge establishing Canaan as their new homeland. § Still believed this land was promised to them by God. § Joshua led them in a series of battles to conquer Canaan. ► The Hebrew Bible tells of the battle at the City of Jericho. § Joshua instructed the Israelites to march around the walls of the city for six days, as the Priests blew their trumpets. § On the seventh day, he commanded them to shout at the sound of a trumpet and the wall collapsed.

Military Conquest ► The Israelites were able to conquer the city. ► Joshua led the Israelites in other battles. § Any land seized was divided among the 12 tribes. ► After Joshua’s death, political and military leaders known as judges ruled the tribes. § They settled disputes and led troops into battle. ► The Hebrew Bible speaks of Deborah, a female judge who was admired for her wisdom and bravery. § Instructed the commander Barak to attack the army of the Canaanite king Jabin. § She went to the battlefield as an advisor and with her help, Barak and 10, 000 Israelites destroyed the Canaanite forces.

Life in Canaan ► After many battles, the Israelites were now in control of the hilly region of central Canaan and settled their. § Most farmed and herded animals. ► The land was rocky and dry, with little water. § During rainy seasons, farmers collected rainwater which was stored in small caves or even underground. § The water was used to irrigate crops like olives, flax, barley, and grapes.

Life in Canaan ► Israelites lived in homes with two levels. § Homes were made of mudbrick or stone plastered in mud and white-washed. § Floors were made of clay. § During the day people cooked and did household chores on the first floor. § At night it would be where the animals slept while the people slept upstairs.

The Tabernacle According to the Hebrew Bible, the Israelite tribes worshipped God in a large tent-like structure called the tabernacle. § Believed it housed God’s presence. § It was taken down and put away as the Israelites moved from place to place. § In Canaan, the tabernacle was put up at a religious center called Shiloh. ► The Hebrew Bible says the tabernacle housed a sacred object called the Ark of the Covenant. § It was a gold-covered chest, held tablets, or stone slabs. § Israelites believed the Ten commandments were written on these tablets and believed that it was a sign of God’s presence and having it in battle would ensure victory. ►