UNIT 4

Israel
KEY TERMS
1. prophet 11. synagogue
2. monotheism 12. Sabbath
3. tribe 13. scroll
4. Exodus 14. kosher
5. covenant 15. Diaspora
6. Torah 16. rabbi
7. commandment
8. psalm
9. proverb
10. exile
BEGINNINGS
Around 1800 B.C. the Israelites emerge in the eastern Mediterranean region.
They were different from other groups and practiced monotheism (belief in only
one God).
They believed that God sent prophets (messengers).
They wrote down these beliefs and created the Hebrew Bible.
These beliefs eventually became a religion called Judaism.
God told Abraham to settle in Canaan.
A shortage of food later forced the Israelites to leave Canaan.
Many Israelites moved to Egypt.
The pharaoh enslaved the Israelites.
JUDAISM
States that the Israelites descended from a man named Abraham.
Jacob, Abrahams grandson, had 12 sons.
His family divided and separated into tribes (family groups).
Many of the moved to Egypt and became slaves.
The Hebrew Bible says that one day God spoke to a prophet named Moses.
God told Moses to tell the pharaoh to let the Israelites go.
The pharaoh refused, so God sent 10 plagues to Egypt.
The plagues convinced the pharaoh to let the Israelites leave.
The pharaoh changed his mind and wanted them back.
He sent his army to catch the Israelites.
The Hebrew Bible states that God parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites could
cross and when the Egyptians followed, they drowned.
This journey out of Egypt is known as the Exodus.
The Jewish holy festival of Passover celebrates their freedom from slavery.
During their journey, the Israelites received a covenant, or agreement, with God.
The Hebrew Bible says that God promised to guide the Israelites safely back to
Canaan if they promised to follow his teachings.
The teachings are known as the Torah.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
The Ten commandments are part of the Torah.

I am the LORD thy God
Thou shalt have no other gods
No graven images or likenesses
Not take the LORD's name in vain
Remember the sabbath day
Honour thy father and thy mother
Thou shalt not kill
Thou shalt not commit adultery
Thou shalt not steal
Thou shalt not bear false witness
Thou shalt not covet
THE LAND OF CANAAN
The Hebrew Bible says that Moses died before reaching Canaan.
A new leader named Joshua led the Israelites to Canaan.
They found the Phoenicians and the Philistines already living there.
These groups had different beliefs and ways of life than the Israelites.

PHOENICIANS
Lived in cities by the Mediterranean coast.
Skilled sailors and traders.
PHILISTINES
Came from near present-day Greece.
Made iron tools and weapons.
Built walled towns and put together a strong army.
THE WALLS OF JERICHO
The Israelites believed that God wanted them to claim Canaan as their homeland.
Joshua led them into battle to achieve this goal.
At the city of Jericho, the Israelites marched around the city walls for six days.
On the seventh day, the walls fell.
The Israelites took control of Jericho.
VICTORY
Joshua led the Israelites into other battles.
After many battles, the Israelites won control of central Canaan.

EARLY KINGS
The Israelites had settled much of Canaan by 1100 B.C.
They were fearful of the Philistines.
They wanted to unite against this enemy.
Saul became the first Israelite king.
Saul helped the Israelites win many battles against the Philistines, however, he
disobeyed some of Gods commandments.
David became the new king.
David was already known for his bravery.
The Hebrew Bible tells the story of his victory over the giant Philistine warrior,
Goliath.
As king, David united the Twelve Tribes.
The Israelite army finally defeated the Philistines.
Set up a capital city at Jerusalem.
David is considered the greatest Israelite king.
After David dies, his son Solomon became king.
Made peace with many nearby groups and was known as a wise leader.
After Solomon died around 922 B.C., the Israelites entered a difficult period. Their
kingdom became divided and powerful neighbors threatened them.
TWO KINGDOMS
The 10 northern tribes rebelled against Jerusalem after Solomon died.
These tribes started a new kingdom called Israel.
Samaria was its capital.
The two southern tribes formed Judah.
The capital of this smaller kingdom was Jerusalem.
During this time, large empires grew around Israel and Judah.
The Assyrians and Chaldeans became powerful.
They wanted to control trade in the region.
The Assyrians were very militaristic and invaded Israel in 722 B.C.
They brought people into Israel from other parts of the Assyrian Empire.
These new settlers mixed with the Israelites, producing the Samaritans.

Later, the Chaldeans conquered Jerusalem and exiled them to Babylon.
RETURN TO JUDAH
During the exile, they became known as Jews.
The Jews would worship on the Sabbath and gather in synagogues.
Many Jews wanted to return to Judah.
Eventually, a group called the Persians defeated the Chaldeans.
In 538 B.C., the Persian king Cyrus II allowed Jews to return to Judah.
Some went, but some stayed in Babylon.
They began to rebuild Jerusalem and built the Second Temple (replacing the
temple that was destroyed by the Chaldeans).
The Jews looked to religious leaders to guide their society.
The Hebrew Bible was used as a founding document.
The Hebrew Bible has three main parts: Torah, Prophets, and the Writings.
It described their religious beliefs.
JEWISH DAILY LIFE
Jewish families valued education.
Daughters learned to be wives, mothers, and housekeepers.
Jewish dietary laws tell what Jews can eat.
Ancient Jews could only eat animals that were considered clean.
These included cattle and sheep, but not pigs.
Food prepared according to Jewish dietary laws is called kosher.
Animals used for kosher meat must be killed in a certain way, the meat must be
cleaned properly.
Jews cannot eat meat and dairy products together. They can also not eat crab,
shrimp, or other shellfish.
THE ARRIVAL OF GREEK RULE
In 331 B.C., Alexander the Great, a Greek King, defeated the Persians.
Alexander brought Greek language and culture to Judah.
He also allowed Jews to stay in Judah.
ROMAN RULE IN JUDAEA
In 63 B.C., Roman forces conquered the land of Judah and renamed it Judaea.
At first, the Romans chose a follower of Judaism to be the king of Judaea.
Herod built forts and cities.
Following his death, Roman officials ruled Judaea.
The Jews split into four groups: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots.
In A.D. 66, the Zealots revolted and drove the Romans from Jerusalem.
However, the Romans reclaimed the city four years later killing thousands.
In A.D. 132, the Jews again revolted.
The Romans also defeated this rebellion.
The Jews were no longer allowed to live in or visit Jerusalem.
The Romans renamed the area Palestine.
The Jews regrouped with help from religious leaders called rabbis.
The rabbis eventually put their teachings about Jewish laws in writing.
These writings, along with other Jewish legal traditions, are called the Talmud.
The Talmud discusses issues faced in daily life and it remains an important record
of Jewish teachings.