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Early Life
He was the son of an idol merchant, but from his early childhood he questioned the faith of his father. Abraham came to believe that the entire universe was the work of a single Creator and he began to teach other this belief. Abram tried to teach his father the folly of idol worship. One day, when Abram was left alone to mind the store, he took a hammer and smashed all of the idols except the largest one. He placed the hammer in the hand of the largest idol. When his father returned and asked what happened, Abram said, "The idols got into a fight, and the big one smashed all the other ones." His father said, "Don't be ridiculous. These idols have no life or power. They can't do anything." Abram replied, "Then why do you worship them?"

The Covenant
The idea of b'rit is fundamental to traditional Judaism: we have a covenant, a contract, with G-d, which involves rights and obligations on both sides. We have certain obligations to G-d, and G-d has certain obligations to us. The terms of this b'rit became more explicit over time, until the time of the Giving of the Torah. Abram was subjected to ten tests of faith to prove his worthiness for this covenant. Leaving his home is one of these trials.

Source Citation Jewish Virtual Library. American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. 2012.

Sacrifice

Abraham was commanded by God to offer his young son, Isaac, up as a sacrifice. The patriarch traveled three days until he came to the mount that God told him of. Isaac carried the wood upon which he would be sacrificed. Along the way, Isaac asked his father where the animal for the burnt offering was, to which Abraham replied "God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering". Just as Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, he was interrupted by "the angel of the LORD", and he saw behind him a ram "caught in a thicket by his horns", which he sacrificed instead of his son. For his obedience he received another promise of numerous descendants and abundant prosperity. (Genesis 22:119)

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Use History Alive! Pages 104-105 to complete the following. Write complete sentences with specific details from the text. Be thorough in your answers. Input Charts are the primary source for Unit Exams (30% HISTORY category) and they need to be used as study guides. PROMPT 1.) On page 104, describe the information and purpose of the map. 2.) When and where was Abram born? 3.) Explain the difference in belief between Abraham and the people of his home. 4.) Define covenant. 5.) What did God tell Abram to do? 6..) Around 1950 BCE where did Abram take his relatives? 7.) Explain in detail what God promised Abram and what Abram promised God. 8.) Define descendants. 9.) What is the meaning of Abrams new name Abraham? 10.) According to the Torah, what did the covenant mean? 11.) Define sacrifice. 12.) Explain why Gods final test of Abraham was extremely difficult. 13.) Elaborate on how God kept his promise to Abraham after his final test. 14.) Identify the contributions Abraham made to Judaism. YOUR ANSWER The map shows the routes vastness and the strength it took to make the journey. Abram was born in about 2000 B.C. in the city of Ur. Abrams father worshiped inanimate idols and Abram believed in one Creator the made everything. A covenant is a promise or an agreement. God told Abram to take his family to Canaan. Abram, in 1950 BCE took his relatives to Canaan. God promised that if Abram promised the god that he and his family would always keep believing in him he would protect his family. A descendant is a son or daughter, a grandson or granddaughter. Abrams new name means father of many. The covenant meant that God promised to protect Abrahams descendants. A gift or an animal for slaughter as a way to honor gods. Abrahams last test was difficult because he had to give his son to god by sacrificing him. God kept his promise by keeping the Hebrews safe. Israel became a nation with twelve tribes, descendants of Abrahams grandson. Abraham introduced belief in one god and he was an ancestor of Jewish people.

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15.) Interpret the painters attitude of the subject of the painting on page 105.

The painter obviously thought that the moment shown in the painting was important or else he wouldnt have painted it.