History of Judaism

Introduction

Judaism is a covenantal religion - it is based on the idea that God has entered into a series of special agreements (covenants) with the Jewish people (which are described in the Tenakh - the Hebrew Bible).

The key covenants are made between God and :

• Noah

• Abraham

• Moses

• David

As a religion (a set of beliefs, values, and practices), Judaism was developed over time - and in this section you will understand some of the key developments.

Context

Judaism teaches that God created the world out of nothing, and that Adam and Eve were the first humans. Through their free will, humans turned their backs on God, and committed sins. This led to God deciding to flood the Earth, killing everyone apart from Noah and his family.

Covenants

The covenants are ways that God has offered ways for humans to repair their relationship with him.

• Noah - promises to respect human life

• Abraham - promises to obey only God

• Moses - promises to keep to God's laws

• David - promises to be be faithful to God

Abraham

The religion of Judaism really begins with Abraham - with worship focussed on one God (monolatry).

Abraham's descendents

Abraham's grandson, Jacob was renamed Israel by God (which means struggle with God), and is the reason for the descendents of Abraham being known as the Israelites. Israel's 12 sons become the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Moses

The Israelites were led out of slavery in Egypt by Moses, who was later given the 10 Commandments, and, in total, 613 commandments (mitzvot) for the Israelites to follow. These were rules that would help the Israelites have a positive relationship with God.

The Promised Land

God had promised Abraham that his descendents would live in the land that is now Israel and Palestine. Joshua, Moses' successor, led the Israelites to the Promsied Land, and they conquered it and lived there.

Judges

Each of the 12 tribes was led by a judge, who was their spiritual leader, and tried to maintain a good relationship between the tribe and God. Eventually, the last Judge (Samuel) appointed Saul as king of all the tribes.

David and Solomon

The second king of Israel, David, made Jersualem the capital of Israel. In return for promsiing to remain faithful to God, God promises that David's descendents will rule Israel forever. Solomon, his son built the first temple in Jerusalem - the most important place to worship God.

Split

After Solomon died, there were tensions between two groups - the ten northern tribes and the two southern tribes. They split, with the north becoming Israel, and the south Judah (named after one of Jacob's sons). It is from Judah that we get the name of the religion (Judaism) and the name of the Jewish people (Jew).

Prophets

The kings of Israel were military leaders, and at this time the Israelites had spitirual leaders - the prophets. The prophets were often having to remind the kings that God was ultimately in charge.

Conflict

Both kingdoms were frequently attacked by neighboring forces. In the 8th century the northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians. And in the 6th century BCE, the Babylonians defeated the southern kingdom, destroyed Solomon's temple and sent the inhabitants into exile (taking many to Babylon). This meant that the temple was no longer the focus of worhsip.

Second Temple

Eventually the Judahites (increasingly referred to as Jews) were allowed back to the Promised Land, and rebuilt the temple. During this time, Judah (later Judea) was ruled by occupying forces, and the religion of the Jews (Juaism) developed further:

• Worship was based in the temple

• The Torah was compiled, studied, and interpreted

• Different groups developed who interpreted the Torah differently (e.g., Pharisees, Sadducee, Zealots)

The Romans

Eventually, the Romans controlled Judea, and after a series of Jewish uprisings, destroyed the Second Temple, and banned the Jews from Jerusalem.

Over the next 500 years or so, Judaism developed:

• Synagogues became the focus of worship

• Rabbis led worship, and interpreted the Torah.

• The Talmud was written - a book to help interpret Jewish law.

Modern Judaism

From the 16th century CE, modern movements in Judaism developed. Some of the most important include:

• Orthodox Judaism - strict observence of the Torah & traditional ways of life maintained.

• Conservative Judaism - balances Jewish law with modern life.

• Reform Judaism - focuses on personal ethical decision making, with less emphasis on the Torah.