The Patriarchs

According to the Bible, the ancestors of the Jews were nomadic tribes living in
the border between the Arabian Desert and Mesopotamia. In the Bible they are
called the Hebrews, then Israelites (sons of Israel) and Judahans (inhabitants of
Judea). The name Jews (in Hebrew: Jehudi) is derived from this last term, which
found its way into the Polish language through Czech and French. These tribes
are classified as Semitic peoples. Initially, they professed a politheism. Around
the 20th century BC they moved to the Fertile Crescent area, and their main
occupation was herding (taking care of farm animals, like sheeps).
This is the earliest period in Israel's history, known as the era of the Patriarchs
(“The Fathers”). It lasted until the 17th century BC. At that time - according to
the biblical sources - the first was Abraham, to whom the only God was revealed,
and then Isaac and Jacob. During this period, the Jews finally embraced
monotheism - that is, faith in one, invisible God. Some of the tribes reached the
eastern coast through ancient Syria, The Mediterranean land of Canaan and they
settled there. In the Bible, this area is named The Promised Land. According to
the Bible, Abraham led the Jews to Canaan. He had a son, Isaac, and a grandson
Jacob, who took the name Israel. The name Israel, as well as the term Israelites,
meant Jacob's descendants. From the twelve sons of Jacob are the twelve tribes
of Israel. One of them was called Jehudi (Judah). This is where the name Jews
(Judean) comes from. As the Bible says (but not confirmed by historical records
and archaeological finds) circa 1700 B.C.E. due to famine, the Jews left Canaan
and went to Egypt.
Egyptian captivity
In Egypt, Jews couldn't follow their habits and traditions and were forced to be
slaves. For this reason, they called the period of their stay in Egypt "the Egyptian
bondage". After 400 years of captivity, the Israelites were set free by Moses. The
Bible describes how Moses was chosen by God to lead his people out of Egypt
back to the Land of Israel. During the 40 years of wandering in the Sinai desert,
which allowed the tribes to be forged into a Nation, the Jews received the Torah
containing the 10 Commandments and constituting the basis of their
monotheistic faith. The Exodus from Egypt (c. 1300 BCE) left a permanent mark
on the national memory of the Jews and is to this day a universal symbol of
liberation and freedom. Every year, while celebrating Pesach, Shavuot, Sukkot,
Jews remember those events.
Over the next two hundred years, the Israelites conquered most of the land of
Canaan and took up farming and crafts. Times of relative peace were mixed with
periods of war. At that time, they gathered around leaders called judges, chosen
from among the people for their political abilities and combat experience.
First Country
In the territory of Canaan there were city-states over which sovereignty Egypt
exercised. The Israelites conquered them, but there was still a threat from other
peoples, first of all those living on the Mediterranean coast of the Philistines
(from their name comes the term Palestine). They joined forces. Around 1030
BC, Jewish tribes united chose their first king - Saul. He fought victorious wars
during whose, another important figure emerged - David. The Kingdom of David
(c. 1004-965 BC) became an important force in the region, not only thanks to
successful military expeditions, but also the ability to create alliances with
neighboring countries. After the Philistines were finally defeated, his power
stretched from the Red Sea and Egypt's borders to the shores of the Euphrates.
David united the 12 tribes of Israel, established the institution of a monarchy,
and made his capital, Jerusalem, the center of national life. The biblical tradition
describes the king as a musician and poet, crediting him with the authorship of
numerous psalms.
David was succeeded by his son Solomon (c. 965-930 B.C.E.), who further
strengthened the country. Thanks to alliances with local rulers and political
marriages, Solomon ensured peace for Israel and introduced him to the group
of the greatest powers of the time. He developed foreign trade, as well as copper
mining and mixing metals. He built many new cities and fortified and expanded
others. The crowning achievement of the king was the temple in Jerusalem,
which became the center of the religious and political life of the nation.
The Fall of Israel and Judah
Soon, the central power was weakened and after Solomon's death the state split
into two parts. In the North, there was the Kingdom of Israel. Jerusalem
remained the capital in a country in the south called Judah. The kingdom of Israel
ended in about 722 B.C.E., when it was conquered by the Assyrians.
Independent Judah, on the other hand, survived until the invasion of King
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 597. B.C.E. In 586 B.C.E. The Babylonians
destroyed the temple in Jerusalem and drove the Israelites to Babylonia. Jews
spent about 40 years in captivity in Babylon. Persian Emperor Cyrus II (who
defeated Babylon) allowed Jewish people to return to their homeland. The
deportation to Babylon following the destruction of the first temple (586 B.C.E.)
is also the beginning of the Jewish Diaspora. Judaism created a religious
framework and rules for functioning outside the country, thanks to which it
became possible for the nation to survive and maintain a living spiritual identity.
Greeks, Persians and Romans
A period spanning many centuries began, during which Jews lived in the area of
Palestine, enjoying priviledges and rights to self-gover. After they returned from
captivity in Babylon, they built in Jerusalem the Second Temple. That was a
center where worship was performed, helping Jews to maintain community. In
the 4th century BC Persia and Palestine were conquered by Macedonian King
Alexander the Great. His Greek commanders took over the conquered
territories.
From 63 B.C.E. Palestine was gradually dominated by the Romans. They called it
Judea Province. One of the last rulers of Judea was Herod, described in the Bible.
In the St. Matthew’s Gospel he was presented as a cruel, despotic, oppressor of
Jews; however, these events are not mentioned in other historical sources.
Religious differences and oppression on the part of the Romans were a source
of conflicts that more than once led to armed revolts. The uprising against the
Romans that broke out in 66 A.D. CE, quickly took on the character of a war of
liberation. After five years of fighting, Roman troops led by the son of Emperor
Vespasian, Titus, defeated the Jews, conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the
Second Temple. The last great insurgency against the Roman Empire was led by
Simon Bar Kochba. The insurgents started fights in 132 BC and captured
Jerusalem. The Romans pulled it off, however reinforcements, they recaptured
the city and by 135 BC they completely suppressed the uprising. They forbade
Jews from entering Jerusalem, which they named Aelia Capitolina.