Origins
Early Kingdoms
Rome & Judea
Why does it matter?
Ramdom
100
Who was Abraham, and why is he important?
Abraham was a shepherd in Ur around 1800 B.C.;known as father of Hebrews because the Torah says God sent him to settle in Canaan, the Promised Land.
100
Who were some of the early kings of Israel? What are they remembered by?
First king, Saul, successfully fought Philistines around 1020 B.C.. Bible says after Saulʼs death, Samuel chose young David as king. Davidʼs army drove out Philistines, won back Jerusalem. Solomon chosen to succeed his father, David, in new line of kings - became king around 962 B.C., ruled wisely over strong nation - built up Phoenician trade, built important Temple in Jerusalem
100
Why was Judah controlled by Syrians, Greeks, Romans, others over the years?
Judah was in path of invading armies crossing eastern Mediterranean shores.
100
Why is it important that we learn about Roman rule of Judea?
The laws, rituals, and writings from this period are an important part of how Jews practice their religion today.
100
What area of Southwest Asia did the Hebrews believe God had promised to them? (A) Ur (B) Canaan (C) Egypt (D)Jericho
The correct answer is Canaan. The Hebrews thought of Canaan as the Promised Land, the land God had promised to give to Abraham and his descendants. According to the Torah, the Hebrews left Canaan for Egypt as a result of a great famine. But years later Moses led them back to Canaan in the Exodus.
200
What is the central belief of the Hebrews?
The Hebrews believed in one God and tried to follow his commandments.
200
What was the outcome of King Nebuchadnezzar capturing Jerusalem in 586 B.C.?
- Babylonians destroyed the Temple - took thousands of enslaved Jews to Babylon.
200
Why did the Jews rebel against their Syrian rulers?
Syrians took over in 198 B.C., introduced Greek culture to Jews - Jews allowed to keep religion, but some adopted Greek culture, gods In 175 B.C., Syrians insisted Jews worship Greek gods; Jews refused - Jewish religion was outlawed; some fled to hills, prepared to fight
200
Why is it important that we learn about the captivity of the Hebrews?
During the years in captivity, the exiles maintained the religious beliefs and practices that are part of Jewish life today.
200
Judaism was different from other ancient religions because the Israelites... (A) had rules for moral behavior. (B) believed in one all-powerful God. (C) had temples with judges instead of priests. (D) were divided into different tribes.
The correct answer is believed in one all-powerful God. This belief, called monotheism, distinguished the Israelites from other ancient peoples. Most people believed in polytheism, or many gods. The Israelites believed that if they kept the Ten Commandments, God would protect and reward them.
300
How was Judaism different from other religions?
• Many people in ancient world were polytheists, worshiped many gods • Hebrews believed God gave Abraham important teachings - believed in one all-powerful God and his moral laws—monotheism
300
What was the conflict among the Israelites, and what did it lead to?
• Solomon died in 922 B.C.; succeeded by his son who faced rebellion - northern tribes demanded less taxes, an end to forced labor • Kingdom split into northern Israel, southern Judah; Judah included Jerusalem - words Judaism, Jews came from the name Judah • Two kingdoms lasted about 200 years
300
Who led the rebellion agains the Syrian army? How were they able to defeat the Syrians?
• Jewish priest and five sons led fight to drive out Syrians - son Judah Maccabeus led revolt with his force, the Maccabees • Tiny Jewish force faced larger, better equipped Syrian army - rebels knew countryside and defeated Syrians in many battles • Maccabees regained Jerusalem by 164 B.C.
300
Why is it important that we learn about the origins of the Hebrews?
Judaism was the first monotheistic religion and influenced other world religions, particularly Christianity and Islam.
300
What Israelite king drove out the Philistines and took control of Jerusalem? (A) Moses (B) Saul (C) David (D) Solomon
The correct answer is David. David not only drove the Philistines out of Israelite territory but also expanded Israel. He made Jerusalem the capital and encouraged trade. David was famous as a poet and musician. He is credited with writing many of the poems and prayers in the Biblical Book of Psalms.
400
Why did the Hebrews go to Egypt? How did they escape from slavery in Egypt? What is this migration called?
Famine forced Israelites to Egypt; later, pharaoh enslaved Israelites. Moses led Israelites from Egypt on a migration called the Exodus
400
What hope sustained the Jews in exile? How did the exiles maintain their identity in Babylon?
• Israelite exiles became known as Jews, kept religious traditions - observed religious laws, holidays, worship • Israelites hoped to return to Judah, rebuild Temple in Jerusalem - kept hoping for their own king, an heir to Davidʼs throne - Messiah—“anointed one;” Hebrew leaders were anointed with oils • Jews sought spiritual leadersʼ advice in troubled times - believed some leaders—prophets—could interpret Godʼs word - prophets warned people, rulers about straying from Godʼs law
400
Describe Judea under the Roman's rule.
• Romans conquered Judah (Judea) in 63 B.C. • Roman rulers kept strict control over Judea • Jewish kings, religious leaders appointed by Rome
400
How did Jews keep their culture alive?
Though scattered, many Jews kept belief in righteousness, and justice. Jews kept their faith, followed laws, observed customs, studied Torah.
400
Israel split into two separate kingdoms when... (A) the Syrians ordered Jewish priests to worship Greek gods. (B) the Assyrian Empire was conquered by the Babylonians. (C) Solomon’s son refused to lower taxes and end forced labor. (D) Cyrus allowed Jewish exiles to return to Judah.
The correct answer is Solomon’s son refused to lower taxes and end forced labor. When Solomon’s son denied the northern tribes’ request to lighten their tax load and stop requiring them to work on his building projects, they split away from him. The northern tribes continued as the kingdom of Israel. The southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin, which remained loyal, formed the kingdom of Judah.
500
What role did the judges play in the life of the ancient Israelites?
• Judges were used as advisors • First judges acted as military leaders, later judges gave legal advice - famous judges included Gideon, Samson, Samuel, Deborah • Strong judges helped keep 12 tribes united - in times without strong judges, some tribes turned to other gods
500
Who freed the Jewish exiles? What Bible story tells us about this?
• Persians conquered Babylonia, 539 B.C.; practiced religious tolerance • After experiencing Daniel's miracle in the lions den, Persian king Cyrus freed Jewish exiles, let them return to Judah • Jews rebuilt Solomonʼs Temple in Jerusalem by 515 B.C.
500
Who led the rebellion against Rome in A.D. 66? What was the result of Jewish resistance to Roman rule?
• The Zealots, a Jewish group, led rebellion against Rome in A.D. 66 • Roman General Vespasian sent to stop uprising • In A.D. 70, Titus stopped rebellion in Judea, burned second Temple
500
What was the lasting effect of Jewish resistance to Roman rule?
• Loss of Temple and Jerusalem caused many Jews to leave Judea - movement of Jews into rest of world—the Diaspora; means “scattered” • Romans sent many Jews to Rome as slaves • Some Jews remained in Jerusalem
500
The Roman destruction of the second Temple and of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 led to the... (A) writing of new Commentaries on the Torah. (B) fight for Jerusalem led by Judah Maccabeus. (C) Zealot rebellion and the standoff at Masada. (D) Diaspora of Jews into Europe and other areas.
The correct answer is Diaspora of Jews into Europe and other areas. The Romans sent many Jews as slaves to Rome, and some others remained in Jerusalem. But many Jews fled Palestine and were scattered mainly through Europe, North Africa, and other parts of Southwest Asia.
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