In the 1200s BC, God told a man named Moses to demand the freedom of the Hebrews. Moses was a Hebrew Prophet, and he lead the Jews from slavery in Egypt, this journey was called the Exodus. God gave Moses two stone tablets with laws written on them, known as the ten commands. The Jews say that their history was guided through God's relationship with Abraham, Moses, and other leaders.
The Hebrew bible, or Torah, traces the Hebrews back to a man named Abraham. He was the biblical father of the Hebrew people. Abraham moved to Canaan, the promised land. Abraham made a covenant with God.
Judaism is the oldest known religion to practice monotheism. Monotheism is the belief of only one God. The Jews called their God Yahweh. They believed that they were Yahweh's chosen people.
Jewish beliefs are the anchor to their society. The Jewish society is founded upon religion. The four beliefs of Judaism is God, education, justice, and obedience.
Men dominated Hebrew society, but some Hebrew women made great contributions to the culture. Women had few rights, and had to obey their fathers and husbands. A woman couldn't even chose their own husband. Some women were political and military leaders, though, such as Queen Esther and the judge Deborah. Women in the Hebrew Bible were seen as examples of how Hebrew women should behave.
One Jewish tradition is celebrated by Hanukkah, which falls in December. It honors the rededication of the Second Temple during the revolt of the Maccabees.
More important than Hanukkah to Jews, is Passover, celebrated in March or April. The Passover is a time for Jews to remember the Exodus, the journey of the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt.
Ceremonies and rituals are also part of the High Holy Days, the two most sacred of all Jewish holidays. They take place each year in September or October. The first two days of the celebration, Rosh Hashanah, celebrate the beginning of a new year in the Jewish calendar.
On Yom Kippur, which falls soon afterward, Jews ask God to forgive their sins. Jews consider Yom Kippur to be the holiest day of the entire year because it is so holy the Jews don't eat or drink for the entire day.
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