Judaism began with Abraham, who led the Hebrew people to the “Promised Land.” This land was called Canaan and was on the land in the Mediterranean where Israel is today. The Jewish people (also known as the Hebrews) were unusual at the time for believing in only one god. Most everyone else around them worshiped multiple deities. In about 2000 BCE, there was a long drought and famine in Canaan, so the Jewish people migrated to Egypt to find water and work. When they returned to Canaan in 1200 BCE, they found that people had moved in while they were gone. The Jews claimed rights to the land, based on their history there, but the Canaanites didn’t want to give it up, so they fought for it. The land of Israel, claimed by both Jews (Israelis) and Palestinians, is still being fought over today.

The Jewish faith is based largely on five books that make up the Torah. The Torah is just one of three texts that comprise the Hebrew Bible. When Christianity emerged as an offshoot of Judaism, Christians didn’t write a brand-new bible. They added to the Hebrew Bible, which they call the Old Testament. The parts Christians added are called the New Testament. The Ten Commandments are the same in both the Jewish and Christian religions.

What happened when the Jewish people returned to Canaan from Egypt?

A
There was a devastating drought that led to widespread famine.

B
The Canaanites enslaved them.

C
They fought with the Canaanites over the land.

D
The Canaanites converted to Judaism.

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