The Hebrews Recorded events and records in sacred text- the Torah (Old Testament)Recorded events and records in sacred text- the Torah (Old Testament)

The HebrewsThe Hebrews

• Recorded events and records in sacred Recorded events and records in sacred text- the Torah (Old Testament)text- the Torah (Old Testament)

• Nomadic people, migrate from Nomadic people, migrate from Mesopotamia to Canaan (present day Mesopotamia to Canaan (present day Palestine / Israel)Palestine / Israel)

• Enslaved by Egyptians- Moses leads Enslaved by Egyptians- Moses leads escape back to Canaanescape back to Canaan

Abraham’s Journey from UrAbraham’s Journey from Ur

Canaan The “Promised Land”Canaan The “Promised Land”

Abraham’s JourneysAbraham’s Journeys

Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People

Yahweh’s “Covenant” With His People

The TorahThe Torah

The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible.

The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.

The first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible.

The most sacred text in the Jewish religious tradition.

Jerusalem: Reading the Torah

Jerusalem: Reading the Torah

Ancient PalestineAncient Palestine

MosesMoses

“Prince of Egypt”

“Prince of Egypt”

“Shepherd of His People”

“Shepherd of His People”

Moses and the 10 Commandments

Moses and the 10 Commandments

A new “covenant”

with Yahweh

A new “covenant”

with Yahweh

King David’s EmpireKing David’s Empire

Solomon’s

Kingdom

Solomon’s

Kingdom

JudaismJudaism

• Monotheistic Religion (One God)Monotheistic Religion (One God)• Believed God had made a covenant (binding Believed God had made a covenant (binding

agreement)- “God’s chosen people”agreement)- “God’s chosen people”• Ten Commandments- laws God gave them Ten Commandments- laws God gave them

through Mosesthrough Moses• Leads to Christianity and Islam- all worship Leads to Christianity and Islam- all worship

the same Godthe same God

ProphetsProphets

• Spiritual Leaders Spiritual Leaders

• Warn that failure to obey God’s laws Warn that failure to obey God’s laws would lead to disasterwould lead to disaster

• Preach code of ethics- moral standards Preach code of ethics- moral standards of behaviorof behavior

Key QuestionsKey Questions

• What do the monotheistic religions have What do the monotheistic religions have in common? What are their in common? What are their differences?differences?

• Why would people choose monotheism Why would people choose monotheism over polytheism?over polytheism?