The Ancient Near East Section 3 The Hebrews

The Ancient Near East Section 3 The Hebrews and Judaism Preview • Main Idea / Reading Focus • The Early Hebrews • The Kingdom of Israel • Map: Israel and Judah • The Teachings of Judaism

The Ancient Near East Section 3 The Hebrews and Judaism Main Idea The ancient Hebrews and their religion, Judaism, have been a major influence on Western civilization. Reading Focus • What are the major events in the history of the early Hebrews? • How did the Kingdom of Israel develop and who were some of its key leaders? • What are the basic teachings and sacred texts of Judaism?

Section 3 The Ancient Near East The Early Hebrews The Hebrews were the ancestors of the Jews, and most of what we know, including the laws and requirements of their religion, Judaism, comes from their later writings. Hebrew Fathers Moses and Exodus Promised Land • The Torah • Slaves in Egypt • Israelites in desert • Abraham, father of the Hebrews • Moses • Canaan • Pharaoh, plagues • God’s covenant • Exodus • Land of “milk and honey” • 12 Tribes of Israel • Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were patriarchs • Israelites in Egypt – Israelites out of Egypt • Israelites battled for land – Passover • Canaan = Israel • The Ten Commandments

The Ancient Near East Section 3 Sequencing What are some key events, in order, in early Israelite history? Answer(s): Abraham traveled to Canaan, 1800 BC; Moses appeared among Hebrews in Egypt, 1200 s BC; the Exodus; delivery of Ten Commandments to Moses; Hebrews wander desert for 40 years; invasion of Philistines to Israel, mid-1000 s BC; Saul named first king of Israel, mid-1000 s BC; David named second king of Israel, 1000 BC; Solomon named third king of Israel, 865 BC

Section 3 The Ancient Near East The Kingdom of Israel The Period of the Judges • • Scattered communities No central government Judges enforce laws Prophets keep Israelites focused on faith Saul, David, Solomon • • Israelites united against Philistines Saul, first Israelite king Never won full support David, second king Strong king, gifted poet Solomon, David’s son Israel reached height of wealth Division and Conquest • • Conflict after Solomon’s death Two kingdoms, Israel and Judah 722 BC, Israel fell to Assyrians 586 BC, Judah fell to Chaldeans enslaved Jews Diaspora = scattering of Jews Persians conquered Chaldeans

The Ancient Near East Section 3

The Ancient Near East Section 3 Find the Main Idea Why are Saul, David and Solomon significant? Answer(s): They were the first kings of Israel; they unified the Israelites under the Kingdom of Israel.

The Ancient Near East Section 3 The Teachings of Judaism Religion the foundation of Hebrew and Jewish societies • Belief in One God – Monotheism • Justice and Righteousness – Kindness, fairness, code of ethics • Obedience to the Law – Ten Commandments, Mosaic Law • Jewish Sacred Texts – Torah, Talmud

The Ancient Near East Section 3 Identify Supporting Details What are the central beliefs of Judaism? Answer(s): belief in one god; obedience to the Ten Commandments; justice and righteousness