The Birth of Judaism
Judaism is one of the oldest religions in the world. It began thousands of years ago with a man named Abraham, who lived in a place called Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). Most people back then believed in many gods, but Abraham was different—he believed in only one God. (Jewish people often write “G-d” instead of “God,” but both mean the same.)
Abraham & Sarah
One day, Abraham heard God’s voice telling him to leave his home and travel to a new land. Abraham trusted God and set off with his wife, Sarah. After a long journey, they arrived in Canaan (now called Israel). God promised that this land would belong to Abraham’s descendants and that they would grow into a great nation.
Abraham and Sarah had a son named Isaac. Isaac had a son named Jacob, who was later called Israel. Jacob had twelve sons, and they became the fathers of the Twelve Tribes of Israel—the beginning of the Jewish people.
Faith in God
God made a special covenant (promise or agreement) with the Jewish people. He gave them the Torah, which includes the Ten Commandments and many other rules about how to live a good and moral life. The Torah was given to Moses, one of the greatest leaders of the Jewish people, on Mount Sinai.
Throughout history, the Jewish people went through hard times—like slavery in Egypt and being sent away from their homeland to Babylon. But they never gave up their faith in God or their commitment to the Torah.
📚 Key Terms:
Known as the father of the Jewish people. God made a covenant with him, promising him land and descendants.
Known as the founding father of Judaism
A binding promise/agreement; God's agreement to look after his chosen people.
The person through whom God set the Israelites free from slavery in Egypt, gave the Ten Commandments and made a covenant with Israel.
The mountain where Moses received the Law and where the covenant between God and Israel was made.
Source of authority; religious and moral rules that were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai.
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