The document outlines the history of Judaism, from the birth of Abraham in 1813 BCE to the post-exilic period after the return from Babylonian captivity in 539 BCE. Key events include the establishment of the covenant with God, the importance of the Torah, and the roles of patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as significant leaders such as Moses, Saul, David, and Solomon. The document emphasizes themes of faith, perseverance, and the evolution of Jewish identity in response to historical challenges, including exile and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

1. JUDAISM
THIS HISTORY OF

2. 6 - 4 BCE
Jesus Christ is born in
Jerusalem
1,813 BCE
The birth of Abraham sets
the religion of Judaism in
motion. Abraham is the
father of Isaac the
founder of the Jewish
people. Abraham's son
Jacob took on the name
JUDAISM
1280 BCE
Moses leads the Jewish
people on their Exodus from
Egypt
970 BCE
The first temple is built
539 BCE
The Babylonians in Jerusalem are
conquered by the Persian - allowing the
Jewish to return to their homeland
920 BCE
Israel splits into two
kingdoms
Israel - North
Judah - South
Israel is conquered by
Assyrians
722 BCE
587 BCE
The first temple is
destroyed by
Babylonians

3. KEY
CONCE
PTS OF
JUDAIS
M
The Covenant
Monotheism
The Torah
1
2
3

4. MONOTHESIM
Judaism is one of the earliest religions to embrace
the belief that there is one single, all-powerful God.
This God is seen as the creator of the universe while
simultaneously taking an involved role in the lives of
humans.
The opposite of monotheistic religions are
polytheistic religions, the obviously believe in more
than one God
• Ancient Egyptian and Greek religions
• Hinduism

5. A SACRED AGREEMENT BETWEEN GOD
AND THE PEOPLE
THE COVENANT
• Covenants can be (and are) a critical component of multiple
religions
IN JUDAISM THE COVENANT WAS MADE WITH ABRAHAM. IN THIS AGREEMENT
GOD PROMISED TO MAKE ABRAHAM’S DECENDANTS INTO A GREAT NATION
AND GIVE THEM THE LAND OF CANAAN (MODERN DAY ISREAL).
THIS COVENANT IS CONDITIONAL UPON THE JEWISH PEOPLE’S
FAIITHFULNESS AND ADHERANCE TO THE LAWS SET OUT BY GOD. THESE
LAWS ARE LAID OUT IN THE TORAH
THE COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND THE JEWISH PEOPLE SETS THE STAGE
FOR A UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD AND THE ISREALITES
THROUGHOUT HISTORY

6. THE FOUNDATIONAL TEXT OF JUDAISM
THE TORAH
/PENTATEUCH
• consists of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible
⚬ Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
⚬ This is also known as “The Old Testament”
TRADITIONALLY, THE TORAH IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN GIIVEN BY GOD TO
MOSES AT MOUNT SINAI AFTER THE EXODUS FROM EGYPT. IT CONTAINS NOT
ONLY HISTORICAL NARRATIVES BUT ALSO 613 MITZVOT (COMMANDMENTS)
THAT FORM THE BASIS OF THE JEWISH HALAKHAH (LAW).
THE TORAH IS REVERED AS THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR,
RELIGIOUS PRACTICES, AND COMMUNAL LIFE, MAKING IT THE CENTRAL TEXT
IN JEWISH WORSHIP AND STUDY

7. ORIGINS
AND
PATRIARCH
S
A patriarch is the father or head of something
• There are three patriarchs central to the Jewish religion
⚬ Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel)
ABRAHAM, ORIGINALLY ABRAM, IS CONSIDERED THE SPIRITUAL LEADER AND FIRST
PATRIARCH OF JUDAISM. ABRAHAM IS OFTEN REFERED TO AS THE “FATHER OF
MONOTHEISM” AS HE REJECTED THE POLYTHEISTIC PRACTICES OF HIS TIME AND
EMBRACED THE BELIEF IN ONE GOD. ACCORDING TO THE TORAH GOD MADE A
COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM. IN RETURN ABRAHAM AND HIS DESCENDENTS WERE TO
REMAIN FAITHFUL TO GOD.
SEE COVENANT - (GENESIS 12:1-3)

8. GENESIS
12: 1-3
⚬ A covenant is a sacred agreement between god and the people
1 THE LORD HAD SAID TO ABRAM, “GO FROM YOUR COUNTRY, YOUR PEOPLE AND YOUR
FATHER’S HOUSEHOLD TO THE LAND I WILL SHOW YOU.
2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”

9. ORIGINS
AND
PATRIARCHS
PT. 2
Isaac the second patriarch
• son of Abraham
ISAAC’S NEAR SACRIFICE BY ABRAHAM IS A DEFINING MOMENT IN HIS LIFE,
SYMBOLIZING OBEDIANCE AND FAITHFULNESS IN GOD. ISAAC’S LIFE IS LESS EVENTFUL
THAN BOTH HIS FATHERS AND SONS, BE HE REPRESENTS CONTINUITY OF THE COVENANT.
ISAAC MARRIED REBEKAH, AND THEY HAD TWO SONS, ESAU AND JACOB. THE COVENANT
PROMISE WAS PASSED ON TO JACOB ESTABLISHING HIM AS THE NEXT LEADER IN THE
LINEAGE.
Jacob (Israel) the Third patriarch
• son of Isaac
AFTER WRESTLING WITH AN ANGEL, JACOBS NAME WAS CHANGED TO ISRAEL MEANING “ONE WHO
STRUGGLES WITH GOD” (GENESIS 32:28)
JACOB HAD 12 SONS WHO BECAME THE ANCESTORS OF THE 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL. JACOBS’ FAVOURED
SON, JOSEPH, WOULD LATER PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE ISREALITES’ MIGRATION TO EGYPT.
WHILE JACOBS LIFE WAS MARKED BY STRUGGLES HIS STORY REPRESENTS GOD’S UNFOLDING
COVENANT PLAN

10. GENESIS
32:28
THEN THE MAN SAID, "YOUR NAME WILL NO LONGER BE JACOB, BUT ISRAEL,
BECAUSE YOU HAVE STRUGGLED WITH GOD AND WITH HUMANS AND HAVE
OVERCOME."
ISRAEL MEANS “ONE WHO STRUGGLES WITH GOD”

11. EACH SON OF JACOB BECAME A FOUNDER
OF ONE TRIBE
THE 12 TRIBES
• The 12 tribes represent the formation of the early Israelite Nation
THESE TRIBES WOULD EVENTUALLY SETLLE IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF
CANAAN, FORMING THE BASIS OF THE ANCIENT ISRAELITE SOCIETY. THIS
TRIBAL IDENTITY PERSISTED THROUGH MUCH OF JEWISH HISTORY, PLAYING A
CRITICAL ROLE IN HOW THE ISREALITES UNDERSTOOD THEMSELVES AND
THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD
THEMES
THE LIVES OF THE PATRIARCHS HIGLIGHT THEMES OF FAITH, PERSERVERANCE,
AND COVENANT LOYALTY. THESE FOUNDATIONAL STORIES ARE NOT JUST
HISTORICAL BUT ARE SEEN AS MORAL AND SPIRITUAL LESSONS FOR FUTURE
GENERATIONS.
THE PATRIARCHS SERVE AS MODELS OF OBEDIANCE AND TRUST IN GOD’S
PROMISES EVEN THROUGH TIMES OF HARDSHIP AND UNCERTAINTY.

12. MOSES AND
THE
EXODUS
• Moses is one of the most critical people in the history of Judaism
⚬ Moses liberated Jewish slaves under Egyptian control
⚬ The Exodus is central to the Jewish identity both current and past
⚬ Was given the Torah (and 10 commandments) by God at Mount Sinai

13. THE 10
PLAGUES

14. THE
KINGDOM
OF ISREAL
KING SAUL WAS THE FIRST KING OF ISRAEL, APPOINTED BY THE PROPHET SAMUEL. HIS REIGN MARKED THE
BEGGINING OF THE MONARCHY IN THE 11TH CENTURY BCE. SAUL WAS A POWERFUL MILITARY LEADER AND
LED SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS AGAINST VARIOUS GROUPS SUCH AS THE PHILISTINE. HOWEVER, SAUL WAS
DISOBEDIENT TO THE WORD OF GOD, SAULS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROPHET SAMUEL DETERIORATED
WHO EVENTUALLY APPOINTED DAVID AS SAUL’S SUCCESSOR. SAUL DIED IN BATTLE LEADING TO THE RISE OF
DAVID AS THE NEW KING
AFTER THE EXODUS AND THE CONQUEST OF CANAAN UNDER JOSHUA, THE ISREALITES LIVED IN
A LOOSLEY CONNECTED CONFEDERATION OF TRIBES.
KING DAVID IS OFTEN CONSIDERED TO BE THE GREATEST KING OF ISREAL IN TERMS OF BOTH MILITARY SUCCESS
AND IN HIS ROLE IN SHAPING THE RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL IDENENTITY OF THE KINGDOM. ORIGINALLY A
SHEPARD, DAVID GAINED NOTERIETY FOR DEFEATING GOLIATH, A GIANT PHILISTINE WARRIOR. DAVID FIRST
BECAME KING OVER JUDAH THEN ALL OF ISRAEL UNITING THE 12 TRIBES UNDER A SINGLE MONARCH
KING
DAVID

15. SOLOMON’S REIGN IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS THE GOLDEN AGE OF ANCIENT ISRAEL. SOLOMONS MOST
FAMOUS ACHIEVEMENT IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM - THIS TEMPLE BECAME
THE CENTRAL PLACE FOR WORSHIP BY THE ISRAELITES AND HOUSED THE ARC OF THE COVENANT
SOLOMON IS SAID TO HAVE POSSESSED GREAT WISDOM AND EVEN CONTRIBUTED TO PROVERBS FOUND
WITHIN THE HEBREW BIBLE. SOLOMON STRENGTHENED THE KINGDOM THROUGH ALLIANCES, TRADE, AND
THE DEVLOPEMENT OF A SOPHISTICATED ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM.
SOLOMONS LATER YEARS WERE MARKED WITH GROWING DISCONTENT AMONG THE PEOPLE DUE TO THE
HEAVY TAXATION AND FORCED LABOUR PRACTICES HE INSTILLED IN ORDER TO FUND HIS LARGE BUILDING
PROJECTS. SOLOMONS NUMEROUS FOREIGN MARRIAGES LED HIM TO ALLOW THE WORSHIP OF FOREIGN
GODS IN THE KINGDOM OF ISREAL WHICH IS A SERIOUS OFFENCSE AGAINST THE COVENANT.
KING
SOLOMON
SALOMAN IS THE SON OF DAVID AND SUCCEEDED HIM TO BECOME KING
AFTER SOLOMON’S DEATH THE KINGDOM WAS DIVIDED DUE TO POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC
TENSIONS
THE NORTHEN KINGDOM (ISRAEL)
THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM (JUDAH)

16. THE BABYLONIAN EXILE
AND RETURN
IN THE 8TH CENTURY BCE THE NORTHERN KINGDOM OF ISRAEL FELL TO THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE AND ITS
PEOPLE WERE EXILED OR ASSIMILATED INTO OTHER POPULATIONS. THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM OF JUDAH
SURVIVED OVER A CENTURY LONGER
BY THE 7TH CENTURY BCE THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE HAD WEAKENED AND THE NEO-BABYLONIAN EMPIRE
ROSE TO POWER UNDER NEBUCHADNEZZER.
DURING THE TIME OF THE NEO-BABYLONIAN RISE THE KINGDOM OF JUDAH (BETWEEN EGYPT AND
BABYLON) STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN ITS INDEPENDANCE. IN 597 THE KING OF JUDAH (JEHOIACHIN)
REBELLED AGAINST BABYLON LEADEING TO THE FIRST DEPORTATION OF THE JEWISH ELITE. A DECADE LATER
UNDER A NEW KING (ZEDEKIAH) JUDAH AGAIN REBELLED. THIS TIME NEBUCHADNEZZER RESPONDED IN
FULL FORCE
ONE OF THE MOST PIVOTAL EVENTS IN JEWISH HISTORY
THE FALL OF THE
KINGDOM OF JUDAH
NEBUCHADNEZZAR LAID SEIGE TO JERUSALEM DESTROYING THE CITY AND THE FIRST TEMPLE
NEBUCHADNEZZAR THEN EXILED A LARGE NUMBER OF THE LEADERS, PRIESTS, AND SKILLED
WORKERS IN JUDAH BACK TO BABYLON

17. LIFE IN EXILE
• For the exiled, life in Babylon was extremely difficult
THE CENTRAL QUESTION OF THIS TIME PERIOD WAS HOW COULD THE JEWS
MAINTAIN THEIR COVENANTAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WITHOUT ACCESS
TO THEIR LAND AND THE TEMPLE.
WITHOUT THEIR TEMPLE, THE JEWS WERE FORCED TO ADAPT THEIR
RELIGIOUS PRACTICES. THEY COULD NO LONGER OFFER SACRIFICE WHICH
WAS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THEIR RELIGION. AS A RESULT NEW FORMS
OF WORSHIP AND RELIGIOUS PRACTICES WERE DEVELOPED.
THE SYNAGOGUE, A PLACE OF COMMUNAL PRAYER, STUDY, AND GATHERING
BECAME MORE PROMINENT. PRAYER, FASTING, AND THE STUDY OF THE
TORAH TOOK ON GREATER IMPORTANCE IN THE ABSCENCE OF THE TEMPLE
• During the time of exile, several key prophetic emerged. These
people offered hope, guidance, and theological reflection

18. RETURN FROM
EXILE
• in 539 BCE the Babylonian Fell to the Persians under Cyrus the
Great
UNLIKE THE BABYLONIANS WHO SOUGHT CONTROL OF THEIR EMPIRE
THROUGH DISPLACEMENT AND EXILE, THE PERSIANS ALLOWED CONQUERED
PEOPLES TO MAINTAIN THEIR WAY OF LIFE.
IN 538 BCE CYRUS ISSUED A DECREE ALLOWING THE EXILED JEWS TO RETURN
TO JUDAH AND REBUILD THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM. THIS DECREE IS KNOWN
AS THE EDICT OF CYRUS AND IS RECORDED IN THE BIBLE (EZRA 1:1-4)
THE SYNAGOGUE, A PLACE OF COMMUNAL PRAYER, STUDY, AND GATHERING
BECAME MORE PROMINENT. PRAYER, FASTING, AND THE STUDY OF THE
TORAH TOOK ON GREATER IMPORTANCE IN THE ABSCENCE OF THE TEMPLE
• During the time of exile, several key prophetic emerged. These
people offered hope, guidance, and theological reflection

19. EZRA 1:1-4
1.In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the
Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to
make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:
2.“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:“‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has
given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a
temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. 3. Any of his people among you may go
up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel,
the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. 4. And in any
locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them
with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for
the temple of God in Jerusalem.’”

20. THE IMPACT OF RETURN FROM
EXILES
THE RETURN LED TO THE REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM, WHICH WAS CENTRAL TO JEWISH WORSHIP
AND IDENTITY. RELIGIOUS LEADERS LIKE EZRA AND NEHEMIAH REINFORCED THE ADHERENCE TO THE TORAH,
SHAPING THE FUTURE PRACTICES OF JUDAISM
RELIGIOUS
REVIVAL
CULTURAL
RESTORATION
THE RETURN TO THEIR HOMELAND MARKED A REVIVAL OF JEWISH CULTURE AND SOCIAL LIFE. IT REESTABLISHED
JERUSALEM AS THE RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL CENTER OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE. THE JEWISH PEOPLE FOCUSED
ON MAINTAINING JEWISH IDENTITY THROUGH LAWS AND CUSTOMS

21. THE IMPACT OF RETURN FROM
EXILES PT.2
UNDER PERSIAN RULE, THE JEWISH PEOPLE WERE GRANTED AUTONOMY TO GOVERN THEIR INTERNAL AFFAIRS
UNDER THEOCRATIC STRUCTURE, WITH THE HIGH PRIEST AND LOCAL LEADERSHIP PLAYING CENTRAL ROLES
POLITICAL
STRUCTURE
DIASPORA
INFLUENCE
WHILE MANY JEWS RETURNED TO HERUSALEM UNDER PERSIAN RULE, OTHERS REMAINED IN PERSIA AND OTHER
LANDS, LEADING TO THE GROWTH OF JEWISH DIASPORA. THIS SHAPED THE JEWISH IDENTITY, CREATING A
DISPERSED BUT CONNECTED COMMUNITY ACROSS REGIONS