Principles of JudaismPrinciples of Judaism

I. A Migrating PeopleI. A Migrating People A. About 2000 B.C. Abraham & family migrated A. About 2000 B.C. Abraham & family migrated

& founded Israelite nation near E. Mediterranean.& founded Israelite nation near E. Mediterranean. B. Famine forced Israelites to migrate to EgyptB. Famine forced Israelites to migrate to Egypt

1. Were enslaved workers for next 400 years1. Were enslaved workers for next 400 years 2. Moses led them out of Egypt2. Moses led them out of Egypt 3. 1000 B.C. kingdom of 3. 1000 B.C. kingdom of

Israel established.Israel established. 4. United as a single 4. United as a single

nation by Davidnation by David

C. Kingdom split 922 B.C.C. Kingdom split 922 B.C. 1. 586 B.C. Babylonia captured Judah –forced Israelites 1. 586 B.C. Babylonia captured Judah –forced Israelites

into exile.into exile. 2. Years later freed by Persian ruler Cyrus, many 2. Years later freed by Persian ruler Cyrus, many

returned to homeland.returned to homeland.

Q: What role did migration play in the history of the Q: What role did migration play in the history of the Israelites?Israelites?

II. Israelites ReligionII. Israelites Religion A. Were monotheistic-believed in one God.A. Were monotheistic-believed in one God.

1. Believed they had a covenant with God1. Believed they had a covenant with God 2. Must remain faithful & obedient to God2. Must remain faithful & obedient to God

B. Developed the Torah-record of God’s teachings.B. Developed the Torah-record of God’s teachings. 1. Torah consists of 5 books-1. Torah consists of 5 books- 2. Book of Exodus contains story of the 10 2. Book of Exodus contains story of the 10

commandmentscommandments C. Teachings set a strict moral standard for Jews.C. Teachings set a strict moral standard for Jews.

Q: How did the Jews beliefs differ from those of Q: How did the Jews beliefs differ from those of other nearby peoples?other nearby peoples?

II. Law & MoralityII. Law & Morality A. Concept of law was central to Israelites.A. Concept of law was central to Israelites. B. The Torah contains many lawsB. The Torah contains many laws

1. Established moral principles1. Established moral principles 2. 10 commandments –moral laws are the core of Judaism.2. 10 commandments –moral laws are the core of Judaism.

C. Seven Universal LawsC. Seven Universal Laws 1. Applied to all people-similar to 10 Commandments1. Applied to all people-similar to 10 Commandments 2. Commands people to establish courts2. Commands people to establish courtsD. Prophets preached a strong code of ethicsD. Prophets preached a strong code of ethics

1. Called on rich to help poor1. Called on rich to help poor2. Saw rulers as human, bound to obey God’s law2. Saw rulers as human, bound to obey God’s law

Q: What is the source of basic moral laws that Jews must obey?Q: What is the source of basic moral laws that Jews must obey?

III. Diaspora (scattering of the Jews)III. Diaspora (scattering of the Jews) A. After Babylonian captivity, Jews migrated to A. After Babylonian captivity, Jews migrated to

various regions.various regions. 1. New Jewish groups arose.1. New Jewish groups arose. 2. One group followed Jesus and became a new 2. One group followed Jesus and became a new

religion: Christianity.religion: Christianity. 3. Jews spread through Middle East 3. Jews spread through Middle East and Europe.and Europe. 4. Israel remained center of culture4. Israel remained center of culture and religion.and religion.

Q: How did the scattering of the Jewish people begin?Q: How did the scattering of the Jewish people begin?