Lesson 1
A curved region of land in the Middle East, stretching roughly between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea, which had very fertile soil and allowed early farming and civilization.
Fertile Crescent
A large political unit or territory controlled by one ruler or government, often made up of many different peoples or lands.
empire
To bring goods or services into a country or region from another place for sale or trade.
import
The quality of being morally right or justifiable; behaving in a way that is ethical and fair.
righteousness
A person who decides legal cases or disputes; in ancient Israel, judges were leaders who helped govern the people and carry out God’s commands.
judge
An ancient region located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (in modern-day Iraq); often called the “land between rivers”.
Mesopotamia
A state or group that works together with another for a common purpose, especially military or political support.
ally
The spreading of cultural traits (ideas, styles, religions, technologies) from one society or place to another.
cultural-diffusion
A central text of Rabbinic Judaism consisting of teachings, commentary, and discussions about the Torah and Jewish law.
Talmud
The scattering or dispersion of a people from their homeland; in Judaism, the communities of Jews living outside Israel after exile.
Diaspora
To supply water to crops or land, usually by channels, ditches, or pipes, so plants can grow.
irrigate
One of the earliest known sets of written laws, established by King Hammurabi of Babylon around 1750 BCE, which governed many aspects of daily life in his empire.
Hammurabi’s Code
A group of people gathered together for a common purpose, often to make decisions or pass laws (could refer to citizens meeting in a government).
assembly
The departure of a large number of people; in Judaic tradition, the event when the Israelites left slavery in Egypt under Moses.
Exodus
A Jewish house of worship; a place where the Jewish community meets for prayer, reading scripture, and religious instruction.
synagogue
A political unit that includes a city and its surrounding lands and functions like an independent country (for example, ancient Ur or Babylon).
city-state
A tall stone slab or pillar, usually carved or inscribed, used as a monument or marker (often to record laws, decrees, or important events).
Stele
To send goods or services out of a country or region to another place for sale or trade.
export
The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Pentateuch) which record the early history, laws, and teachings of Judaism.
Torah
Being forced to leave one’s home or country; often used to describe people who live away from their homeland because of conquest or banishment.
exile
A system of writing developed by the Sumerians (in ancient Mesopotamia) that used wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets.
cuneiform
Soldiers who fight on horseback (mounted troops) rather than on foot.
cavalry
The financial gain made when the amount earned from a business activity is more than the cost to operate it.
profit
The belief in only one god (as opposed to many gods, which would be polytheism).
monotheism
To refuse to accept, believe in, or abide by something; to deny validity or refuse.
reject