How We Got Our Bible Jewish History Resources

Jewish History A Nation Unique in History – God’s Chosen People No other nation has same period of culture, religion, etc. Same Rabbinical law, regardless of what country they are in 40 years of wandering in the dessert with a tent for a center of worship Masada story is unique to history God’s providence was shown time and time again through history Jewish History is a picture of Bible Prophecy fulfilled Birth of Nation - Genesis 12 Joseph – Moses – Promised Land Period of Judges Monarchy Civil War - Split between North and South

Three Periods of Jewish History The Formation of Judaism 400 BC – 500 AD Jewish History and Developments 500 – 1800 AD Modern Judaism 1800 AD – present

The Formation of Judaism Reasons for the Babylonian Exile Polluted religion, sins of the people, idol worship, God’s judgment “Hear of Israel, The Lord our God is One” – one God No Temple worship – no sacrifice – no central point of worship Developments during the Exile Development of synagogue Learning continues Schools Develop – Babylonian Talmud Daniel’s Prophecy of the future 539 Babylon Fell Cyrus was King who decreed the return Returning from Babylonian Captivity Ezra Nehemiah

Shift in Power 333 BC Alexander the Great comes to power 331 BC took control over land of Israel Force Greek culture on People – Hellenism Assimilation vs Tradition Chariot races, gymnasiums, bath houses, market place Struggle over the Empire 323 BC – divided empire – four generals Ptolemy - Egypt Antiochus Epiphanes – Syrian – at war with Egypt Antiochus – need to raise money for war 168 BC attacks Jerusalem for its monetary value, sacks the Temple “Abomination of Desolation” Temple dedicated to Zeus Statue of Zeus erected on Alter of Inner Temple Daily swine sacrifices Sabbath Day worship/regulations forbidden Circumcision forbidden

Revolt from the Syrian Yoke Maccabees (hammer) Mattathias led revolt Hanukkah (feast of light) Restored workship, temple reconsecrated Freedoms came as Syria weakened The Roman Period began in 66 BC with entrance to Damascus Rome rule over Judea – Herod Various Jewish Factions Zealots – political minded, God was with their cause, militant Essenes – problem with religious leaders, corruption in temple, Dead Sea scrolls (light vs darkness), ritual baths Pharisees – “Separatists” teachers – started right but became corrupt Saducees – leaders who adopted Hellenistic culture and worked closer with Romans. They had the political clout.

The Time of the Messiah People expected Messiah to conquer Rome Early Christianity was seen as part of Judaism - Nazarenes Gospel of peace was preached rather than violence He was taken in the middle of the night – why? The Destruction of the Temple 62 AD Jews deprived of their citizenship by Rome Caesarea was site of Roman rule Rome sacked Jerusalem in 66 AD Zealots took over control of city and defeated Romans outside of city Vespasian decided to put down revolt after Roman garrison wiped out 68 AD Nero committed suicide 70 AD Temple sacked (Matt. 24) 73 AD Story of Masada told by Josephus

The Council of Javne (yav-ne) 70 - 90 AD Task of reestablishing Judaism Religion w/o sacrifice All current practices are from this time Torah stored in cabinet with perpetual light on Symbol of temple with veil and crown. Torah removed, kissed, then read Nazarenes were official condemned as traitors 18 benedictions are read. 19 th benediction added as a curse to Nazarenes Jewish Rabbinic Literature Septuagint text condemned and Masoretic text accepted Rabbi Akiva – Codification of Law (Talmud) Six Orders of Midrash established Oral Law vs. Written Law - according to tradition, both given to Moses Talmud is made up of Oral Law - traditions that put law into practice Talmud applies Bible to Jewish people Mishna completed by 200 AD

Life in Galilee Jerusalem not conducive to study Center of Jewish learning shifted to Galilee 132 AD Revolt from Hadrian led by Simon Rabbi Akiva backs Simon as the Messiah in revolt – 1, 000 died Jewish believers pulled out of conflict after Simon called Messiah 138 – 168 AD After revolt was settled, study became important to Jewish people 200 - 300 AD Peace in the land More Jews lived in Babylon and Egypt than in Israel Come to Israel for study, ordination, then return to their home Babylonian Talmud began to take precedent over all others

Emperor Constantine Decided to become Christian 311 BC after seeing vision Political move - Christianity became State Religion – It was politically expedient Everyone become “so-called” Christian Heresy introduced into church Became known as “catholic” church Council of Nicea 325 BC Meeting to sort out differences but alienated Judaism Nothing in common with Jews – “detestable company of Jews” New official church policy – Jews are enemies of Christians Anti-semiticism became church policy

Jewish History and Developments 500 – 1800 AD The Rise of Islam The Leader is Born 570 AD Mohammed – self taught camel boy Learned about Jewish and Christian ideas through travel 610 angel appeared – foundation of Islam Began in Mecca – finally thrown out and goes to Medina Began to preach tolerance – became acceptable 624 AD Gained control of Medina 630 AD Returned to Mecca with sabers 635 AD Damascus 636 AD Syria 637 AD Into Europe Charles the Hammer (Southern France) stopped flow into Europe Babylon became stronghold and no longer hospitable to Jews 1038 AD Jewish center of learning moved to Spain

Great Leader Emerges “Rambam” one of the great theological leaders of Judaism 10 th chapter of Sanhedrin – 13 Creeds of Judaism – practiced today Did not believe God could become man - Trinity did not exist Taught that Jesus and Mohammed laid ground for Messiah to come Tolerant toward Jewish people and Christians (anyone who believes in Jesus) Rashi 1040 – 1105 AD Another famous scholar but was intolerant of Christians Jews became hardened against the Gospel because of his teachings Crusades began in 1096 AD -St. Bernard saved Jews from death 1492 AD Jews Expelled from Spain -Jews settled all over Eastern/Western Europe Traditional Orthodox Judaism everywhere

The French Connection French Revolution Storming of the Bastille Rise of middle class “freedom for all men” (including Jews) Napoleon saw the Jews as valuable allies Made a deal – welcome here if you give up your right to Israel Jews allowed to attend school, become professionals, mingle in society Rift between the traditional Jews and Reformed Judaism New system of worship called Conservative Judaism (combined) Assimilation led to Hitler ideology

Modern Judaism 1800 AD – present Anti-Semitism in Europe Traditions vs Reformed led to Conservative Judaism Background that shaped current day thinking Anti-Semetic refers to descendents of Shem through Abraham 1918, 1932 Jewish Massacres Charges that Jews killed children and used blood for matza 1933 – 1939 Anti-Semetic grows throughout Europe Families moved from country to country because of forced relocation by host countries Nation of farmers slowly became professionals The “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” – Published by Russian newspaper late 1800’s Minutes of meeting of Jews to take over world – fueled anti- semetic Actually was an old play written 60 years earlier 1932 – court ruled the article as a lie but public opinion prevailed

The Dreyfus Affair Alfred Dreyfus accused of selling secrets by French court Sent to Devil’s Island but later released Theodore Hertzel – reporter “If France can railroad person because they are Jewish, Jews need own homeland” Zionism 1860 – First discussion of possible home 1861 – Zion society formed 1884 – First Conference of Lovers of Zion 1897 – Hertzel named President of Lovers of Zion 1901 – Hertzel meets with Sultan of Arabia to plead case Movement brewing for return to land of Israel First return from the East- Russia (Fiddler on the Roof) Western Jews were not pressured to return

Foreign Intervention The Turks Turkish empire controlled “Palestine” Word originates from the Romans The British After WW I, Palestine became part of British territory 1917 – The Balfor Declaration “states desire to help Jews regain homeland” Political moves – different stories were told to Jews vs. Arabs Nothing done to help Jews regain land

WWII and the Jewish People Extermination of Jews 1941 – 1945 Germany Denmark Holland Belgium France Greece Italy Yugoslavia Bulgaria Romania Hungary Austria Czech Poland Lithuania Latvia Russia Population 250, 000 6, 000 140, 000 85, 000 300, 000 67, 000 120, 000 70, 000 48, 000 1, 000 710, 000 70, 000 81, 000 3, 000 140, 000 100, 000 2, 500, 000 Died 180, 000 104, 000 28, 000 65, 000 60, 000 9, 000 58, 000 30, 000 750, 000 200, 000 61, 000 2. 600, 000 104, 000 70, 000 750, 000

Persecutions British locked up fleeing Jewish settlers US policy would not allows Jewish settlements Ship “St Louis” with Jews refused to dock Return to the Land of Israel 1947 Problems with British instead of Arabs “Exodus” survivors turned down 1948 Declaration of Independence God’s Chosen People – Still Strong After All These Years