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Unit 4

Unit 4. The Beginnings of Western Civilization. Preface. The Hebrews appeared in SW Asia around 2000 years ago. Eventually, they established the kingdom of Israel. Their lives were controlled by their religion: Judaism. Today Hebrews are called Jews.

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Unit 4

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  1. Unit 4 The Beginnings of Western Civilization

  2. Preface • The Hebrews appeared in SW Asia around 2000 years ago. • Eventually, they established the kingdom of Israel. • Their lives were controlled by their religion: Judaism. • Today Hebrews are called Jews. • Israel was destroyed and the Jews scattered throughout the world. • Through their culture and religion they maintain an identity as Jews.

  3. The Mediterranean Import • Western Civilization originates over 2000 years ago in the eastern Mediterranean region. • The Greeks and Hebrews, along with the Christians later, developed most of the ideas and traditions of the Western Tradition.

  4. Particular Contributions • Judaism is a monotheistic (one god) faith. • Judaism introduces personal and communal morality. (Right versus Wrong) • The Greeks introduced democracy. • Greek philosophers developed science and mathematics. • Greek art and literature is stilled highly respected and was copied by many cultures.

  5. Hebrews & Judaism Chapter 8 The Early Hebrews

  6. Introduction • The early Hebrews were nomadic, similar to hunter gatherers. • They were a wandering people. • They believe their history began with a search for a new home.

  7. Herders Develop Judaism • Hebrews appear around 2000 BC. • They were herders. • Their culture influenced Western Civilization. • Early Hebrew history is based on archaeology and Hebrew scribes’ writings. • Judaism is the Hebrew religion. • Scribes’ accounts included history and laws. • These accounts became the Hebrew Bible. • The Christian Bible incorporates the Hebrew Bible.

  8. Abraham • Abraham is the father of the Hebrews. • Hebrew history begins with Abraham. • God told Abraham to leave Mesopotamia. • He was to take his family west and create a new home. • God promised to lead Abraham to a new home (land) and make his descendants a mighty nation. (Promised Land)

  9. Canaan • Abraham leaves Mesopotamia and settles in Canaan. • Canaan is on the Mediterranean Sea. • Canaan includes Jerusalem. • Canaan later becomes Palestine. • After many years some Hebrews leave and emigrate to Egypt. (Famine? Driven out?)

  10. Hebrews in Egypt • Hebrews prospered in Egypt. • Their population grew large. • The Pharaoh feared a Hebrew take over. • His solution was to make all Hebrews slaves. • (Is this the first instance of slavery in Africa we have studied?)

  11. Moses • In the 1200’s BC, God told Moses to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. • Moses demanded that Pharaoh let the Hebrews go. • Pharaoh refused. • Soon after a series of plagues (disasters) struck Egypt. • Pharaoh then agreed to free the Hebrews.

  12. The Exodus • Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt. • The Hebrews saw their release from slavery as God’s protection and stewardship. • They believed God loved them and they were his chosen people. • The exodus is a symbol for all enslaved people.

  13. Mt. Sinai • The Hebrews wandered for many years. • They reached Mt. Sinai. • Moses went up to the mountain top and God gave him the 10 Commandments. • These 10 rules are the basis of Western Morality. • They also forged Hebrew society.

  14. The Ten Commandments • They required Hebrews to worship only God. • They had to value human life, self-control and justice. • They were required to value the family unit, honesty and marriage fidelity. • They were required to respect property rights, avoid envy and forbid lying. • Murder was forbidden. What is murder?

  15. The Return to Canaan • After 40 years of wandering the Hebrews returned to Canaan. • Of course, Canaan had occupants. • The Hebrews attacked and conquered Canaan and settled. • They became known as the Israelites. • Initially the Israelites lived in small scattered villages without a central government. • Each village had a judge/leader who enforced the law and settled disputes.

  16. The Philistines • In the mid 1000’s the Philistines invaded the Israelites territory. • The Israelites banned together under a single leader: Saul. • Saul became the first king of Israel. • Saul was a moderately successful general but a weak king. • He failed to unify all of the Israelites. • He faced much opposition to his rule.

  17. King David • David had been a servant in Saul’s palace. • Saul grew unhappy with David and banished him. • David spent years in the desert. • There, he gathered support from local people. • Saul died and David became king. • David was a beloved king. • David defeated the Philistines and fought many successful wars against other Canaanite peoples. • David captured Jerusalem and made it the capital of Israel.

  18. King Solomon • Around 965 BC, David’s son Solomon became king. • Solomon was a great king. • He expanded Israel and became allied with Egypt and Phoenicia. • Trade made Israel rich. • Solomon built a great temple in Jerusalem. • The temple became the administrative center and the symbol of Judaism.

  19. Two Kingdoms • Around 930 BC Solomon died. • Civil war broke out over who should be king. • Israel split into two kingdoms: Israel and Judah. • Jews lived in Judah. • These two kingdoms lasted a few hundred years.

  20. Both Kingdoms Conquered • Around 772 BC Assyria conquered Israel. • Later the Chaldeans conquered Judah. • Hebrew/Jewish people were scattered. • The scattering of the Jews outside of Canaan/Palestine is called a Diaspora.

  21. Solomon’s Temple Destroyed • In 566 BC, the Chaldeans conquered Jerusalem and destroyed Solomon’s Temple. • Thousands of Jews were taken to Babylon to be slaves. • This era is called the Babylonian Captivity. • It lasted 50 years.

  22. Persia Conquers Chaldea • Around 530 BC, the Persians conquer Chaldea and allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem. • However, many Jews chose not to go to Jerusalem. • Instead the travelled to other parts of the Persian Empire. • The Jews that returned to Jerusalem rebuilt Solomon’s Temple (2nd Temple). • The Jews were Persian subjects until Persia was conquered around 330 BC.

  23. Maccabeus • Around 160 BC, Judas Maccabeus led a successful rebellion and the Jews ruled their own kingdom for 100 years. • But in 63 BC the Romans conquered the Jews.

  24. The Jews under The Romans • They expanded the 2nd Temple. • Rabbis clarified Jewish teachings to make Judaism more understandable. • A school to teach Judaism opened in Jerusalem. • Nonetheless, many Jews did not want to be Roman subjects, but rather independent.

  25. Hebrew Women • Women had few rights. • Men dominated government and society. • Women were to be obedient to fathers and husbands. • Women could not inherit property unless she was brother-less. • Some women were leaders like Queen Esther, Miriam (Moses’ sister), Ruth and Judge Deborah. • Women in the Bible are models for other women’s behavior.

  26. Jewish Beliefs & Texts Chapter 8

  27. Preface • Judaism requires that Jew be fair to everyone in their community. • Judaism unified Jews even as they existed as a Diaspora. • Jewish beliefs and practices were sometimes contrary to the beliefs of others and that sometimes caused conflict.

  28. Religion is the Foundation • Jewish culture is based on Jewish religious beliefs. • Central values are God, obedience, education and justice.

  29. Belief in God • Yahweh is God. • Judaism is monotheistic, believing in one god. • Jews believe they are the chosen people of God. • Jews believe they have a special relationship with God that began with Abraham and Moses.

  30. Belief in Education • Jews value education. • They believe all Jews must be taught their faith. • Older boys received special attention in that they were educated in Judaism by professional teachers.

  31. Belief in Justice • Justice in this case is defined as kindness and fairness in dealing with others, even strangers and criminals. • Jews are required to give aid to those in need like the poor, the sick and the orphaned. • Jews are expected to be fair in their business dealings.

  32. Belief in Righteousness • Judaism requires Jews to behave properly even surrounded by those who do not. • Righteous behavior exceeds ritual and ceremony in importance.

  33. Belief in Obedience and Law • Jews are to be obedient to the law. • Jews believe the laws were given by God. • The Ten Commandments are the most important laws. • Jews believe Moses recorded a system of laws Yahweh told him to obey. • These laws are called the Mosaic law.

  34. Mosaic Law • Mosaic law governs Jewish daily life. • It governs prayer and holidays. • For example, Jews are forbidden to work on the Sabbath, the seventh day. • The Sabbath is the day of rest in honor of God resting on the seventh day after he created the world. • Jews designate Saturday as the Sabbath.

  35. Dietary Laws • Mosaic law contains restrictions on what foods Jews may consume and how their food can be prepared. • Jews are forbidden to eat pork or shellfish. • Meat must be ceremonially slaughtered and appropriately prepared. • Acceptable foods are designated as being Kosher.

  36. The Three Sects of Judaism • Orthodox Jews strictly adhere to Mosaic law. • Reformed Jews choose to follow only some of the laws of Judaism. • Conservative Jews fall between the Orthodox and the Reformed Jews with regard to adherence to Mosaic law.

  37. Jewish Texts • The laws and principles of Judaism are contained in sacred texts and commentaries known as the Torah, The Hebrew Bible and the Commentaries (Talmud).

  38. Torah • Most of Jewish law is contained in five books known as the Torah, the most sacred Judaic text. • Beyond laws, the Torah contains the history of the Jews up to the death of Moses.

  39. Synagogue • A Jewish house of worship is a synagogue. • Every synagogue has at least one Torah. • Readings from the Torah are central to Judaic religious services. • People do not touch the Torah they use special pointers to mark their place as they read.

  40. The Hebrew Bible • The Hebrew Bible (The Tanach) is comprised of the Torah (the first five books) and then eight books with the messages of the Prophets. • Prophets who are believed to receive messages from God that are to be taught to mankind. • The last part of the Tanach is a collection of 11 books. • These books contain poetry, songs, stories and lessons and history.

  41. Book of Daniel • During the Babylonian Captivity the prophet Daniel displeased the Babylonian king. • The king placed Daniel in a den of lions and Daniel began to pray to God. • The lions did not attack Daniel. • Jews tell this story as an example of the power of faith.

  42. Proverbs • These are brief statements of wisdom. • Many are attributed to Judaic leaders like Solomon. • “A good name should be chosen over great riches.” • Meaning it is better in the eyes of God to be seen as a good person rather than a wealthy one.

  43. Book of Psalms • These are songs of praise to be raised in worship of Yahweh. • One of the most famous psalms is #23. • The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…

  44. Commentaries • Some Jewish laws are hard to understand. • Scholars have spent centuries writing commentaries to explain them. • The Talmud contains many of these commentaries. • The Talmud was written between 200 AD and 600 AD. • Many Jews consider the Talmud second only to the Tanach.

  45. Dead Sea Scrolls • These writings by ancient Jews ere written 2,0000 years ago. • They were discovered in 1947. It took decades to uncover al the scrolls. • The scrolls contained prayers, letters, commentaries and Bible passages. • The scrolls shed light on the lives and beliefs of ancient Jews.

  46. Judaism Influences Later Cultures • Judaism has affected the development of Western Civilization. • Christianity, the world’s largest religion, was founded by a Jew, Jesus and His teachings reflected His Jewish roots. • Judaism influenced Islam in that Muslims believe they, like Jews, are descendants of Abraham. • The Ten Commandments are the moral basis for Western Civilization. • People are to be honest and value the family and human life.

  47. Judaism Over Time Chapter 8

  48. Preface • Judaism united the Jewish people. • The conquest of Israel by the Romans put great stress on Jewish society. • In 60 AD Rome had ruled Israel for over 100 years. • Romans respected Romanitas, their culture, not Judaic culture. • This fact angered many Jews.

  49. Revolt • Many Jews thought that if they could successfully rebel against Rome they could recreate the kingdom of Israel. • Zealots were the most rebellious of the Jews seeking rebellion. • They believed Jews were only obedient and responsible to God (themselves?) and certainly not Rome. • They refused to obey Roman officials. • Zealots urged Jews to rise up against Rome. • In 66 AD, the Jews revolted.

  50. Defeat • The Jews lost. • The four year battle wrought great damage. • Jerusalem was laid waste (ruined). • The Second Temple was burned in 70 AD. • After that most Jews surrendered. • 1000 zealots took refuge in the mountain fortress Masada.

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