The Shaping of Judaism: A Primary Source Investigation

The shaping of Judaism, A Primary Source Investigation

The turbulent history of the Hebrew people, coupled with their strong sense of commitment to their god, shaped the Jewish religion by emphasizing commitment, and community as ways to guarantee survival and prosperity of the people and religion. With the creation of the First Temple of Jerusalem, under David’s rule ca 961-922, came a sense of accomplishment and stability to the Hebrew people. This magnificent temple, “richly decorated with gold leaf”[1], represented the prosparity and success of the Jewish people at that time. Sadly, this time of relative tranquility would soon be over. At the death of Solomon, his kingdom split into two separate kingdoms, Israel and Judah; ushering in the new era called the two kingdoms era. For a relatively short time, peace and stability had the sentiments of the Israelites up, as works from Samuel demonstrate: “’Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’”[2] The above passage shows the dedication and pride the people had during the two kingdom era, as well as the belief that this kingdom of Israel would last forever. The foundations of the first temple era Judaism, specifically Samuel, legitimize the creation of the Jewish homeland and show their trust and faith in God’s gift of Israel. A system of ritual purity and covenant is not stressed as much during Judaism of this period. “I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old”[3] This passage further demonstrates the belief that Israel was given to the Jewish people, and remain theirs unconditionally . Throughout the Two Kingdom era, feelings of peace and stability developed a Judaism based not on covenants, but of peace of mind and comfort in a stable homeland.

In contrast to the stable conditions in which First Temple era traditions were established under, the turbulent time of exile in Assyria deepened the faith’s belief in a covenant between God and gave Israel’s fate an unconditional definition. In 722 BCE, at the hand of the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III, the kingdom of Israel fell, with its population sent in exile to Assyria. [4] When the second of the two kingdoms, Judea, fell in 586 to the Babylonians, the miraculous first temple was burned. Passages from this era (Deuteronomy) show the fragile nature of Israel and stress a renewed commitment to god, and following his word. Such religious practices as the Sabbath had a renewed importance: “For remember that you too were once slaves in Egypt, and the LORD, your God, brought you from there with his strong hand and outstretched arm. That is why the LORD, your God, has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.”[5] The design of this passage is such that a stress is put on what god has done for his people, and what the people should do in return to further serve him. A gentle reminder of God’s service to his people and the duty of his people are presented as a motivation for keeping religious observances. Some passages served more uplifting purposes such as this passage providing motivation for honoring God’s laws: “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD, your God, has commanded you, that you may have a long life and prosperity in the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you.”[6] Verses out of Deuteronomy show the fierce determination of the Jewish People to abide by God’s laws and return safely to the rightful homeland. Because the homeland was taken from them, the people surely thought they must have broken the covenant. Exile brought the first major revision of Jewish faith by stressing a renewed commitment to God in form of stricter religious observances and covenants, coinciding with the loss of their homeland.