JUDAISM, ANCIENT:
the religion of the HEBREW BIBLE which proclaims a COVENANT
between GOD and the PEOPLE OF ISRAEL. From ABRAHAM the JEWISH People develop as a distinct
nation who experience the SALVATION of God and were given His laws by MOSES during the
EXODUS. In Sinai, the Covenant is renewed and the Israelites enter Canaan. A new state
occurs during the second half of the fifth century B.C. when EZRA reorganizes the
community and reinstitutes the Covenant. Slowly HELLENISM influenced Jewish thought and
the theocratic State gave way to a Commonwealth. At the same time a more liberal
interpretation of the TORAH emerged as Persian and Greek ideas influenced Jewish
thought. Various schools, about which we really know little, such as the PHARISEES,
SADDUCEES, ZEALOTS and the QUMRAN COMMUNITY developed until the religion was brought to an
abrupt end with a revolt against Roman rule and the destruction of JERUSALEM in 70 A.D.
