Julius The Patriarchs and the Origins of Judaism
The Patriarchs and the Origins of
Judaism
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
known as the Patriarchs, are both the physical and spiritual ancestors of
Judaism. They founded the religion now known as Judaism, and their descendants
are the Jewish people. Of course, technically, it is incorrect to refer to Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob as Jews, because the terms "Jew" and
"Judaism" were not used generally to refer to this nation until
hundreds of years after their time; nevertheless, for convenience and in
accordance with common practice, I will use these terms.
The history below is derived from written Torah,
Talmud, Midrash and other sources. Modern scholars question the existence of
the Patriarchs and the historical accuracy of this information; however, it is
worth noting that scholars also questioned the existence of Babylonia and
Troy... until archaeologists found them.
Abraham
According to Jewish tradition, Abraham was born
under the name Abram in the city of Ur in Babylonia in the year 1948 from
Creation (circa 1800 BCE). He was the son of Terach, an idol merchant, but from
his early childhood, he questioned the faith of his father and sought the
truth. He came to believe that the entire universe was the work of a single
Creator, and he began to teach this belief to others.
Abram tried to convince his father, Terach, of the
folly of idol worship. One day, when Abram was left alone to mind the store, he
took a hammer and smashed all of the idols except the largest one. He placed
the hammer in the hand of the largest idol. When his father returned and asked
what happened, Abram said, "The idols got into a fight, and the big one
smashed all the other ones." His father said, "Don't be ridiculous.
These idols have no life or power. They can't do anything." Abram replied,
"Then why do you worship them?"
Eventually, the one true Creator that Abram had
worshipped called to him, and made him an offer: if Abram would leave his home
and his family, then G-d would make him a great nation and bless him. Abram
accepted this offer, and the b'rit (covenant) between G-d and the Jewish people
was established.
(Gen. 12).
The idea of b'rit is fundamental to traditional
Judaism: we have a covenant, a contract, with G-d, which involves rights and
obligations on both sides. We have certain obligations to G-d, and G-d has
certain obligations to us. The terms of this b'rit became more explicit over
time, until the time of the Giving of the Torah (see below). Abram was
subjected to ten tests of faith to prove his worthiness for this covenant.
Leaving his home is one of these trials.
Abram, raised as a city-dweller, adopted a nomadic
lifestyle, traveling through what is now the land of Israel for many years. G-d
promised this land to Abram's descendants. Abram is referred to as a Hebrew
(Ivri), possibly because he was descended from Eber (Gen. 11) or possibly
because he came from the "other side" (eber) of the Euphrates River.
But Abram was concerned, because he had no
children and he was growing old. Abram's beloved wife, Sarai, knew that she was
past child-bearing years, so she offered her maidservant, Hagar, as a wife to
Abram. This was a common practice in the region at the time. According to
tradition, Hagar was a daughter of Pharaoh, given to Abram during his travels
in Egypt. She bore Abram a son, Ishmael, who, according to both Muslim and
Jewish tradition, is the ancestor of the Arabs.
(Gen 16)
When Abram was 100 and Sarai 90, G-d promised
Abram a son by Sarai. G-d changed Abram's name to Abraham (father of many), and
Sarai's to Sarah (from "my princess" to "princess"). Sarah
bore Abraham a son, Isaac (in Hebrew, Yitzchak), a name derived from the word
"laughter," expressing Abraham's joy at having a son in his old age.
(Gen 17-18). Isaac was the ancestor of the Jewish people. Thus, the conflict
between Arabs and Jews can be seen as a form of sibling rivalry!
By Julius
Please Mr. Netanyahu, Mr. Ben Gvir and Mr. Smotrich unite and bring Hashem’s Righteousness back to the Har HaBayit, start by opening the Har HaBayit for Jews on Pesach? | בבקשה מר נתניהו, מר בן גבי ומר סמוטריץ' מתאחדים ומחזירים את היושרה להר הבית, התחילו בפתיחת הר הבית ליהודים בפסח?
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Come let us Pray that Hashem's Righteousness shall 'return' to the Har haBayit and the whole of Eretz Israel. | בוא נתפלל שצדקת ה' 'תשוב' להר הבית ולארץ ישראל כולה. |
Free to study all Jewish Scripture: | חופשי ללמוד את כל כתבי הקודש היהודיים: |
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Ariel, hopefully your Representee | אריאל, מקווה שהנציג שלך |
I pray as a Jew when I bring your prayers. |
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