Famous Jewish People in Ancienct Times and Celebrations

A brief description of the importance of early Jewish leaders and celebrations.

1. Abraham, Moses, Naomi,
Ruth, David, and Yohanan
ben Zaccai of the Jewish
religion

by J. Chao
for Mr. Haskvitz

2. AbrahamAbraham
Abraham was a respected Abraham was a respected
Patriarch. He was known as Patriarch. He was known as
“Our Father Abraham” and “Our Father Abraham” and
made promises from God. made promises from God.
One promise was that he One promise was that he
would have unlimited would have unlimited
offspring and discover the offspring and discover the
land of Canaan. It was also land of Canaan. It was also
remembered as the remembered as the
“Promised Land”. “Promised Land”.
According to the Jews, the According to the Jews, the
first person who refused to first person who refused to
worship idols was Abraham. worship idols was Abraham.
This shows that he This shows that he
symbolizes the monotheistic symbolizes the monotheistic
religion.religion.

3. Moses
Moses had gotten the Torah for Israel. The Torah is
not precisely a law, but a leadership, manual, or
assistance. There are exactly 613 commandments that
explain every part of life. For example, laws, relations,
personal hygiene and a person’s eating habits. The
Ten Commandments were given by God to Moses on
Mount Sinai about the Mosaic law

4. Naomi
Naomi was the wife of
Elimelech and was a mother
of Mahlon and Chilion. She
was also a mother-in-law of
Ruth. When Naomi and her
husband left their home, the
district of Bethlehem-Judah,
they found one in the
uplands of Moab. As they
settled in Moab, Naomi’s two
children married to non-Jew
women and soon Elimelech
died. Soon both her sons
perished and she mourns for
her return to Bethlehem-
Judah. Ruth, another
daughter-in-law insisted that
she goes with Naomi.

5. RuthRuth
•She became the great grandmother of David. She was generous and
true. She married Naomi’s son who was an Israelite. Her husband’s
family had to move to Ruth’s country to live in. After her husband
died, she wanted to accompany Naomi as she set out her journey
back to the country of Israelites. Her saying was “Whither thou
goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge.” When Ruth
arrived at the country of Israelites, Boaz became Ruth’s husband
because he admired her kindness. Her life was written in the Book
of Ruth which was told in the Old Testament.

6. DavidDavid

When David became powerful When David became powerful
after overpowering Jerusalem, after overpowering Jerusalem,
Israel surrendered. During his Israel surrendered. During his
reign, he was the first monarch reign, he was the first monarch
to unite Israel. David had to unite Israel. David had
introduced the Ark of the introduced the Ark of the
Covenant with religion and Covenant with religion and
principles to the Jews.principles to the Jews.

He created a nation for the He created a nation for the
Jews by using Moses’ work, Jews by using Moses’ work,
Torah so Judaism would last Torah so Judaism would last
for thousands of years. Many for thousands of years. Many
other nations did not favor the other nations did not favor the
idea so they plot on destroying idea so they plot on destroying
it, however, David became very it, however, David became very
successful.successful.

7. Yohanan ben Zaccai Yohanan ben Zaccai
During the Great Jewish Revolt, During the Great Jewish Revolt,
Jerusalem was being conquered. While the Jerusalem was being conquered. While the
siege began, Yohanan ben Zaccai escaped siege began, Yohanan ben Zaccai escaped
out of the country to speak with out of the country to speak with
Vespasian who would possibly be the next Vespasian who would possibly be the next
emperor. After negotiating with him, three emperor. After negotiating with him, three
wishes were given to him. One of them was wishes were given to him. One of them was
to recreate the Sanhedrin. After the to recreate the Sanhedrin. After the
destruction of Jersusalem, the center of destruction of Jersusalem, the center of
Jewish law in Jamnia was founded by Jewish law in Jamnia was founded by
Yohanan. Yohanan.

8. JudaismJudaism

Judaism is a Judaism is a
Jewish religion. Jewish religion.
It is a belief in It is a belief in
one god. The one god. The
principles and principles and
foundations were foundations were
based on the Old based on the Old
Testament Testament

9. HanukkahHanukkah
Hanukkah was also Hanukkah was also
known as the Feast known as the Feast
of Dedication. It of Dedication. It
was an eight day was an eight day
holiday celebrating holiday celebrating
the Maccabees’ the Maccabees’
victory over the victory over the
Syrians and the Syrians and the
miracle that oil was miracle that oil was
burnt for eight days burnt for eight days
in the holy temple.in the holy temple.

10. Menorah and Dreidl
•The menorah is a candelabrum. It
has nine branches and is used on
the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah.
•The dreidl is a spinning top with
four sides. It is used in games by
children and adults during the
celebration, Hanukkah.