Judaism History

  • 2000 BCE

    - Abraham

    - Abraham
    Abraham is the first of the three patriarchs of Judaism.
    His son, Isaac, is the second. Isaac's son, Jacob, is the third and last.
    He is therefore considered to be the first Jew.
  • Period: 2000 BCE to 350 BCE

    Judaism Timeline.

  • 1500 BCE

    - Moses is born

    - Moses is born
    Moses was born to Israelite parents at a time where the Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians. He was adopted by the pharaoh's daughter and spent his entire childhood as an Egyptian prince - until the day he accidently killed an Egyptian slave master who was abusing an Israelite. Shortly after, Moses escaped to Midian where he learned that he was sent by God to deliver the Israelites to freedom.
  • 1500 BCE

    - Exodus

    - Exodus
    After the tenth plague had made it's appearance in Egypt, the pharaoh finally relented and allowed the Israelites to leave. The Israelites were finally liberated! This event is still commemorated today during the Jewish festival of 'Passover' or 'Pesach'. The festival also serves as a reactualization - meaning that the Jews are actualizing the event again.
  • 1500 BCE

    - The Torah

    - The Torah
    God dictates the Torah to Moses at mount Sinai 50 days after the exodus. The Torah contains 613 commandments - among these are The Ten Commandments.
  • 1420 BCE

    - Arrival in 'The Promised Land'

    - Arrival in 'The Promised Land'
    The Israelites arrive in Canaan - the land of Abraham.
  • 1050 BCE

    - The kingdom of Israel is established

    - The kingdom of Israel is established
    A kingdom is established by the Israelites living in Canaan. The kingdom is named "Israel" after Jacob - the third patriarch of the Jews.
  • 1000 BCE

    - King David

    - King David
    The second king of the Kingdom of Israel. Before becoming king, David was a shepherd boy. He gets Saul - the first king of Israel's - attention when he single-handedly defeats the giant Goliath by throwing a stone at his head. As a king, he is credited for establishing Jerusalem as the capital of the Kingdom of Israel.
  • 960 BCE

    - First temple built

    - First temple built
    First holy temple (also known as Solomon's temple) is constructed in Jerusalem by King Solomon - King David's son.
  • 720 BCE

    - Kingdom of Israel conquered

    - Kingdom of Israel conquered
    The Kingdom of Israel is conquered by Assyria. The Israelite population is deported.
  • 70

    - The second holy temple is destroyed

    - The second holy temple is destroyed
    The second holy temple is destroyed by the Romans because the Jews rebelled against the Roman Empire. This event is commemorated today during the annual fast day of Tisha B'Av, which is considered to be the saddest day in the Jewish calendar.