Chapter 6 The Israelites Lesson 3 The Development

Chapter 6: The Israelites Lesson 3: The Development of Judaism

Return to Judah During exile families of Judeans became known as Jews and their religion is called Judaism. Did not have temple in exile, small groups met in synagogues (Jewish houses of worship) They worship on Sabbath (a weekly day of worship and rest) From sundown Friday to sundown Saturday Pray and talk about religion and history Still observed today

Rebuilding Judah Able to return home when Persians swept across Southwest Asia. Defeated the Chaldeans and took over Babylon 538 B. C. - Persian King Cyrus II let Jews return to Judah Many stay in Babylon and many move back rebuilding Jerusalem and temple of worship The Second Temple Persians pick officials to rule country and collect taxes Jews not allowed to have own government or king Depended on religious leaders

Scribes- religious scholars Lectured in synagogues and taught in schools Ezra, helped lead Jews in writing the five books of the Torah on pieces of parchment Sewed together to make scrolls (a long document made from pieces of parchment sewn together). Later make up the Hebrew Bible

What is in the Hebrew Bible? Made up of Three parts: The Torah The Prophets And the Writings 24 books written and collected over many centuries Laws, rules, culture, history, art, literature, poetry, etc. Genesis- first book : view of human beginnings God created Earth in 6 days and rested on the 7 th Punished world for wicked behavior Noah’s ark Why people speak different languages City of Babel

Book of Daniel : Evil and suffering replaced by goodness Adviser for Babylonian King; refused to worship gods and thrown in the lions den He was protected from wild beasts by God Hope that good triumphs evil

Jewish Daily Life Torah provides laws for daily living What foods to eat and what clothes to wear Deal with poor, neighbors, and apply laws fairly. They emphasize individual worth and responsibility.

The Jewish Family Life Important!!! Specific roles for father and mother of the house If father dies, sons take place to lead family Stressed education- especially for young men Sons old enough, father taught them to worship God and learn a trade. Later on, learn to read the Torah- from the alphabet to the history of the Jews Community leaders important due to this.

Daughters educated at home, learned to be wives, mothers, and housekeepers Learned Jewish laws of holidays , food and Sabbath Learned about the women of ancient israel Ruth and Naomi’s husband two sons died- Ruth not Jewish, left Moabite to move with Naomi. Urged to stay but Ruth insisted and took on the people and traditions. Used as an example for girls to follow

Dietary Laws tell Jews what they can eat. Ancient Jews could eat the meat of only certain animals Beef and Lamb but not pork Laws known as kashrut Kashrut means ”that which is proper” Form of showing obedience to God Jewish food made under these laws called kosher Animals killed for kosher meat must be killed a certain way Inspected, salted, and soaked in water Not Kosher = not clean

Meat and dairy are not to be eaten together No shellfish (crabs or shrimp) Special foods with religious significance eaten during some meals Seder- special meal eaten during the festival of Passover Celebrates the exodus from Egyptian rule Hardboiled eggs, vinegar, salt water, herbs, and flat bread called Matzoh served Youngest child then asks series of questions about food and meaning Adults and older children recite answer together

Chapter 6: The Israelites Lesson 4: The Jews in the Mediterranean World

The Arrival of Greek Rule Jews of Judah under Persian rule for 200 years 331 B. C. Alexander the Great defeats the Persians Spread Greek language and ways Jews introduced to Greek ways in Judah

How Did Jewish Ideas Spread? Judah remained the center of Judaism Many Jews had lived outside of Judah and thousands exiled to Babylon in 586 B. C. In 538 B. C. allowed by Persians to return to Judah many stayed behind These Jews became known as the Diaspora ( Greek word meaning “scattered” ) Where they settled they practiced their customs and Jewish ideas. Loyal to Judaism but learned the Greek language and adopted features of Greek culture. Hebrew Bible translated into Greek by Jewish scholars in Egypt. Became known as the Spetuagint Due to this Jewish ideas spread throughout the Mediterranean world

The Revolt of Maccabus After Alexander’s death- empire was divided into separate kingdoms by four of his generals One kingdom covered Southwest Asia ; ruled by a family known as the Seleucids By 200 B. C. Judah was under the control of Seleucid kings 176 B. C. Antiochus IV came to power as the Seleucid king. Required the Jews to worship the many Greek gods and goddesses Many did not want to abandon their religion 167 B. C. Judas Maccabeus (Jewish priest) led fight against the Seleucid rule.

Followers fled with him to the hills. Then formed a rebel army known as the Maccabees. Succeeded at capturing the Temple. Destroyed all Greek gods and goddesses. Rededicated the temple to the worship of God and celebrate its cleansing every year through the festival of Hanukkah.

Roman Rule in Judea 100 B. C. Romans controlled most of the eastern Mediterranean. Rome located in the west of Italy. Through the help of powerful generals they expanded their empire. 63 B. C. Roman forces conquered Judah and renamed it Judaea. Herod- chosen as ruler of Judea, built forts and cities in Judaea, The Second Temple in Jerusalem built during his reign became the center of Jewish Worship.

Jewish groups After Herod’s death Roman officials ruled Judaea. Disputes over the practice of Judaism and views on how to deal with romans. Pharisees- Jewish group that gained the support of the people. Taught in synagogues and applied teachings of the Torah to daily life. Made Judaism a religion of home and family. Stress of written and oral law. Urged Jews to resist Roman control and practice Torah’s teachings with greater devotion.

Sadducees- another Jewish group, many of which served as priests and scribes in the Temple. Accepted the laws of the Torah but were more concerned with applying the laws to temple ceremonies. Did not fully agree with the Pharisees- they stressed written law but rejected oral law. Favored cooperation with the Romans as a way of keeping peace and order

Essenses- a third group made up of priest who broke away from the Temple in Jerusalem. Lived in Qumrãn, an area in the desert near the Dead Sea. Spent lives praying and waiting for God to deliver the Jews from Roman rule. Only followed the written law of the Torah 1947 A. D. - ancient scrolls were found in caves in Qumrãn Scrolls became known as the Dead Sea Scrolls due to its location Reveal details of a particular place and time

Scrolls demonstrated Judaism was not practiced by all followers Story of Jews who developed own beliefs about good and evil during exile. Saw themselves alone in the world surrounded by enemies and waiting for someone to save them. Reasons for hiding the scrolls was unclear Someone might have possibly wanted to protect them from destruction during times of conflict with the Romans. Helped historians understand Jews during Roman times.

Zealots a fourth group lived in Judaea. Wanted to fight Romans for their freedom Jews waiting for God to send a deliverer to free them from Roman rule. As tensions increased between Romans and Jews- Zealots getting ready to act.

Jewish-Roman Wars A. D. 66 the Zealots revolted Overpowered army in Jerusalem 4 years later roman forces retook the city Killed thousands of Jews and forced others to leave and destroyed the Second Temple of Jerusalem. Structure all that remains and now a custom to visit the wall and pray A. D. 132 – military leader names Simon ben Kosiba- known as Bar Kochba led the Jews in battle to freedom 3 years later Romans crush the revolt and killed Bar Kochba along with other Jewish leaders during the fight Romans impose stricter control and did not allow Jews to live in or visit Jerusalem Judaea renamed Palestine after the Philistines

The Rabbis Lost their struggle for independence but regrouped with the help of their rabbis (religious leaders). Moved from temple and priests to synagogues and rabbis Rabbis taught and explained the Torah Provided moral guidance One of most famous rabbis is Yohanan ben Zaccai. Lived in Jerusalem when it fell to the Romans in A. D. 70. Persuaded Romans to spare Jewish City of Yavneh where he founded a school and continued teachings of the Torah. Stressed acts of loving kindness and community service. School in Yavneh became center of Torah studies and model for other schools

Rabbis gathered together and basic beliefs of Judaism was preserved. Oral discussions about Jewish law was recorded into the Mishnah Later combined with other Jewish legal traditions into the authoritative collection o Jewish tradition known as the Talmud in Hebrew means “instruction” Today remains central to Jewish teachings and is the ultimate authority of Jewish law.