Judaism: History and Resources about the Jewish Religion

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The history of Judaism begins with Abram who was later renamed Abraham. God sought Abram to start a covenant because of his obedient heart. He believed in only one God and followed him with little question. God first came to Abram when he was seventy-five years old and instructed him to pick up his possessions and relocate to a land that God would show him. He did not question God but did as he was told. God made a promise to Abram to bless his offspring with the land of Canaan. He also promised Abram that his offspring would be so many that counting them would be virtually impossible. Abram became Abraham at the age of 99 during which God made the promise to make him the father of many nations. It is during this promise that God made a covenant to always be the God of Abraham and his descendants forever. He sealed the covenant by circumcising every male including male children after they reached eight days old.

God’s covenant continued with Abraham and Sarah’s son Isaac who was born when Abraham was one hundred years old. It was during the child’s youth that God tested Abraham by asking him to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God on the region of Moriah. Abraham did as he was told taking his son up the mountain where he attempted to sacrifice his son but was interrupted by God who was pleased that Abraham loved him enough to obey the command.

Abraham passed away at the age of one hundred and seventy five years old leaving Isaac an inheritance of all he owned. At the time of his passing Abraham had seven more sons with his concubines. Isaac was blessed as God had promised. He married at the age of forty years and twenty years later gave birth to twin boys Esau and Jacob. The two sons were very different in nature Esau being more of a hunter was favored by Isaac and Jacob a more quiet and reserved man was favored by his mother Rebekah. Esau being the first-born son was entitled to the father’s blessings and inheritance. However, he sold his birthright to his twin Jacob for a bowl of stew.

Under God’s direction Isaac stayed in Gerar where he became very wealthy. His wealth, which included an overflow of crops, flocks, servants and herds were so large he was told to leave the land by Abimelech king of the Philistines. After moving to the Valley of Gerar God came to him promising him the same land he promised Abraham. In Isaac’s old age his vision became impaired and he knew he would soon be passing he called on his son Esau and asked him to prepare him a last meal. While Esau went to hunt for his father’s meal Rebekah, Isaac’s wife called on Jacob and instructed him to also prepare his father a meal. Both Jacob and Rebekah deceived Isaac by placing goatskin around Jacob’s neck and arms and had him offer the meal instead. Jacob received his father’s blessing and therefore the birthright was in fact his.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are known as the three patriarchs of Judaism. The name Jew comes from the name Judah which also one of Jacob’s sons. Jews are also known as the children of Israel as well. It wasn’t until the year 1300 BC that God’s promise began to look clear. The descendants of Abraham multiplied greatly in number and were considered a nation. Their size eventually intimidated a new king of Egypt. He was convinced the children of Israel would grow so numerous that they would try to take down his kingdom. His growing fear caused him to make the Jews slaves and placed slave masters over them. The king thought the Jews would not continue to grow and multiply under slavery however, he was wrong they grew more under the oppression.

The Egyptian king Pharaoh decided to kill all male children as a form of population control. During his harsh ruling a baby boy named Moses was born, His birth mother placed him inside of a basket and let him drift in the Nile River where the daughter of Pharaoh found him. Pharaoh’s daughter felt pity on the handsome child and raised him as her own. Moses would later lead the children of Israel or the Jews out of slavery into the land they were originally promised by God. The Jews survived plagues, death, hunger and sickness but stayed forty years in the wilderness outside of Canaan due to their lack of faith and disobedience. It was during their time in the wilderness they were given the Ten Commandments that was handwritten by God himself and delivered by Moses. The Ten Commandments are known around the world even today.

Resources about Judaism and the Jewish Religion

Articles on Judaism Mostly published in the newspapers The Jewish Star and The Jewish Free Press
Explore Judaism
TeachingJudaism, Christianity, Religious Studies, Mysticism.
More Resources about Judaism
Book about modern Judaism

Resource by E.Trio

I am an online writer and soon to be published author. I grew up in Southern California, but I currently live in the Bay Area while I work on my books. I enjoy camping and hiking with my dog Max or just relaxing on the back porch while I write. Stay tuned for my first children’s book to be released about Max.

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