Judaism

Over the Centuries

Revolt Against Rome

Zealots- Most rebellious of the Jews Believed they didn’t have to answer to

anyone but God. Refused to obey Roman officials AD 66- The Jews, led by the Zealots, revolted Jews’ revolt was

unsuccessful

Revolt Against Rome

Revolt lasted 4 years Caused terrible damage Jerusalem lay in ruins Romans burned the Jews second

temple during the last days of fighting

Revolt Against Rome After the temple was destroyed

most Jews lost their will to fight and gave up

But 1,000 Zealots refused to give up.

They locked themselves in a mountain fortress called Masada.

Roman rulers were furious and sent 15,000 soldiers to capture them

Revolt Against Rome It took the Romans two years to reach

the Zealots Once the Romans reached the fortress,

the Zealots killed themselves instead of becoming Roman slaves

Results of the Revolt

Romans killed much of Jerusalem’s population

Took many of the survivors as slaves Romans took over Jerusalem Many Jews left and resettled in Egypt

and other Jewish communities in the Roman empire

A Second Revolt

60 years later, the Jews tried another revolt The Roman army defeated the Jews Romans banned all Jews from living in

Jerusalem All Jews caught living there would be killed Jewish migration increased

Traditions and Holy Days

Hanukkah- a holiday that celebrates the rededication of the second temple during the revolt of the Maccabees

The Maccabees wanted to celebrate their great victory

According to legend they did not have enough oil to perform the rededication ceremony

Hanukkah

Miraculously the oil the had, enough to only last 1 day burned for 8 full days!

Today Jews light candles in a special candle holder called a menorah

The 8 branched represent the 8 days the oil burned

Most Jews exchange gifts each night of Hanukkah

Celebrated in December

Passover

More important than Hanukkah A time to remember the exodus Celebrated in March or April Only bread is eaten during Passover

Questions

Who won the battle at Masada? What happened to the Zealots? After the Jews were defeated a seconf

time by the Romans, what happened to them?

What does Hanukkah celebrate? What event does Passover celebrate?