The Jews

The Jews

The Jews have been on the scene of human history for about 4000 years. They began as a family of nomadic shepherds and were later welded into a nation when Abraham led them to Israel from Chaldea at God's command.

Abraham is known to be the first Jew recorded. He was also known to be the first to consider the concept of monotheism, the belief in only one God. He was charged by God with the command, "Be a blessing to all the families of the earth", promising him and his descendants the land of Canaan (ancient name for Israel). It was this promise which has inspired Jews to love the land of Israel.

The children of Canaan, went down to Egypt to seek food but ended up being forced into slavery. Centuries later, God revealed himself to Moses who was the messenger, through whom God gave the Torah on which the people were to base their lives.

Led by Moses' successor, Joshua, the tribes of Israel entered and settled in Canaan. David, the King of Israel united the tribes, establishing Jerusalem as their political and spiritual capital. When he died, his son, Solomon, took over the throne. He was distinguished for his wisdom. He built the Temple of Jerusalem, but he taxed people harshly causing the kingdom to be divided into two, after his death. Israel in the north and Judah in the south.

In 722 BCE, Israel revolted but was defeated by Assyria. Jewish independence now started to diminish. The Syrian Greeks not only began to exercise political overlordship, but sought to suppress the practice of Judaism. The Jews revolted and won a victory for democracy and freedom of worship.

After a period under Jewish leadership, supremacy was seized by Rome. The Jews rebelled and for four years withstood the Roman legions. However, they couldn't withstand any longer which caused the destruction of Jerusalem.

A semblance of Jewish life remained in the Holy Land. Babylon gradually became the major Jewish centre. The centuries of dispersion in other lands included periods when Jewish life flourished. However, life in the Diaspora was grim and difficult. There was discrimination and destruction in many lands. Many communities were wiped out and there were often false accusations levelled against the Jews. By the end of the Middle Ages, only about a million Jews were left in the world.

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