The history of the Jews is recorded in the Bible. The origins of the Jews can be traced to Ur in ancient Sumer. The ancestors of the Jews are believed to be Aramean nomads. The Prophet Moses says in a confession of faith to the Israelites “ A wandering Aramean was my father”. The Jews are said to have descended from one of the many aramean tribes that settled in the area around the Jordan river.
A few of thse tribes under the invitation of Joseph migrated into Egypt. These settlers found favor with Hyksos rulers of Egypt, themselves of semitic blood.
These Jews were, however, persecuited and forced into slavery, after the Hyksos rulers were disposed and Egypt passed into new rulers. The Israelites (Jews) suffering persecution, were delivered out of Egypt by Moses, the first Hebrew Prophet. Under the leadership of Moses, the Israelites left Egypt, after the incident of the Ten Plagues. The story of the deliverance of the Israelite people from bondage is recorded in the second book of the Bible – Exodus. Represented by Moses, the Israelites made their convenant with Yahweh, the Supreme God. This is the foundation of the Jewish religion. Moses gave Israel its laws and religious practices. The Jews accepted Yahweh as their God. The Mosaic law dealt with the possession of property, sexual morality and individual liberty. Founded on such lofty morals, the concept of Jewish nationhood was born. Moses led the Israelites to the Promised Land(Canaan). However, he was not permitted to pass over to Jordan. The task of leading the people over to the Promised Land across the Jordan fell to Joshua, Moses’ assistant. Moses died before the Israelites could cross over to the Jordan. Under the dynamic leadership of Joshua, the Jews crossed over to the promised land and defeated the local inhabitants and conquered the land of Canaan. After the death of Joshua, the Jews under the guidance of illustrious and wise leaders (called in the bible as Judges) successfully established themselves in the land of Canaan. After the period of the Judges came the period of the Kings. The most noteworthy of Israelite kings was David. He is considered second only to Moses in Jewish tradition. The Jews in later years would be conquered by the Assyrian, Chaldeans and the Greeks.
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