Judaism

Judaism

1 A nation of Priests, Prophets, and Kings.

While the Jews were still trying to find the holy land, the brother of Moses, Aaron, established a priesthood. They build the tabernacle, a large tent, it became the center for Jewish worship. In 1077 B.C. a member of the tribe of Judah, David, became King of the Israelites. He firmly established kingship and priesthood in the nation's capital of Jerusalem. Solomon, David's son, built a large temple in Jerusalem. The messiah would come from David's line. There were three prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, each warned of punishment from god.

2 Judaism under Roman rule

The Jews were divided into factions. The Pharisees emphasized oral law. The Sadducees stressed the importance of the temple and priests. There was also the Essenes, the Zelots, and the Herodians. Jewish leaders were called rabbis. Rebellion broke out against the Romans in 70 C.E. Troops laid waste to the city and destroyed the temple. Jerusalem was declared of limits to Jews. The Sadducees were thus wiped out without the temple.

3 Judaism Emerges with a Greek garment

By the 4th century B.C. the Jews had engulfed the Mediterranean sea. Alexander the great was welcomed into Jerusalem. The Greek and Jewish cultures mixed. As a result the Jewish religion spread even faster. They were able to expand all across the known world. Even scriptures began too be translated to greek.

4 Judaism and God's name

Jews Believe gods name is too holy to pronounce. Over the last 2000 years the name has been lost. The name of God is Yahweh. In Latin he is called Jehovah. The Jews put much importance to God's name. For a period of time it was illegal to speak gods name. In the torah his name is freely used. But, the ancient Hebrews spoke and pronounced the holy name of god.

5 Do Jew still await the messiah?

The prophecies state that Jesus would be of David's blood line. Also that he would bring righteous. The messiah is also to restore the kingdom of Israel. The Jews created Israel anyway. Not all Jews are still waiting for the messiah.