Jerusalem and the Jewish People

Jerusalem and the Jewish People

The Jewish people have endured many struggles throughout history. After their successful escape from Egyptian captivity following Moses, they wandered through the desert for four decades before entering the Promised Land (McDowell and Stewart, 1992). They endured numerous conflicts with neighboring societies, but for many centuries, were able to maintain a unified state in Jerusalem.

This occupation of Jerusalem was not permanent, though. In 722 BC, the northern area of the Hebrew state was lost to Assyrian raiders. By 586 BC, Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians. The land of Israel was ruled by Persians, Macedonians, Greeks, Syrians, and Romans in the time that followed. It was not until 1917 that an attempt to reestablish Palestine as the Jewish homeland started. By 1948, the State of Israel became an independent country.

The people of Israel trace their origin to Abraham, who taught his people that there is only one God, the creator of the universe (Israel Science and Technology Homepage, 2004). Abraham, his son Yitshak (Isaac), and his grandson Jacob (Israel) are viewed as the patriarchs of the Israelites. All three patriarchs lived in the Land of Canaan, which later came to be known as the Land of Israel.

Abraham's people evolved into a nation at about 1300 BCE, following their Exodus from Egypt under the leadership of Moses (Israel Science and Technology Homepage, 2004). He led them out after the Egyptians were afflicted with ten plagues. Shortly after the Exodus, Moses passed on the Torah, and the Ten Commandments to the people of this nation.

After wandering through the Sinai desert, Moses led them to the Land of Israel, which is cited in the Bible as the land promised by God to the descendants of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses led them to east of the Jordan and died without reaching the Promised Land. He relinquished leadership to Joshua, who led the people across the Jordan to conquer the Promised Land.

The rule of Israelites in the land of Israel began with the conquests of Joshua (ca. 1250 BCE). The period from 1000-587 BCE is referred to as the "Period of the Kings" (Israel Science and Technology Homepage, 2004). The most noteworthy kings during this time were King David (1010-970 BCE), who made Jerusalem the Capital of Israel, and his son Solomon (Shlomo, 970-931 BCE), who built the first Temple in Jerusalem.