Chapter 4 Lesson 1: Israel Beginnings

Ancient Egypt - Origins of Judaism

How did Judaism originate and develop?

Introduction

• Jewish civilization developed gradually over thousands of years.

• Jews began in Mesopotamia and moved to Canaan.

• The origins of Judaism, and teaching, are recorded in the sacred text of the Torah.

• Torah means "teaching"

• Christians consider the the Hebrew Bible to be their Old Testament.

• In this section you will learn about four leaders - Abraham, Moses, King David, and King Solomon.

Ancient Israelites

• Torah contains written records & teachings of the Jews.

• Part of these teachings are hundreds of commandments.

• The ancestor of the Israelites was a man named Abraham.

• Famine forced many Israelites (Jews) to flee from Canaan to Egypt.

• They traveled for 40 years until they set up the kingdom of Israel

Multiple Choice

What is the Torah?

• A collection of teachings & historical records.

• A type of travel plan.

Life of Abraham

• Abraham was originally named Abram.

• People believed in multiple gods, but Abram came to believe in just one. This is why Judaism was so different.

• At 75 Yrs Old, God told him to leave his country. With his family he traveled to Canaan.

• God gave Abram his new name of Abraham, which means "father of many."

Abraham's Descendants

• The Torah says that Abraham's wife was 90 and Abraham was 100 years old when their son was born.

• According to the Torah, the Jewish people are descended from Abraham & his wife Sarah.

• His most famous contribution to Judaism, is the idea of One God.

Multiple Choice

If monotheism means one god and polytheism means multiple gods, which one best defines the belief that Abram had?

• Monotheism

• Polytheism