Abraham

Abraham is often called the Father of Judaism. He is certainly one of the most important people for the Jewish people.

Life History : Abram or Abraham as he was later called, was brought up in the small town of Ur of the Chaldees. There, along with everyone else, he worshiped the many gods who were believed to have control over the different parts of nature. There Abraham encountered the One God who seemed to have control over not only the whole of nature but history as well. This same God was willing to enter into a special relationship (covenant) with Abraham and his descendants.

No-one is quite sure how, or when, Abraham stopped believing in many gods and came to believe in the one God. The time and place however are not important. What matters is that Abraham's experience marked the beginning of the Jewish nation, and Jews today speak, with great fondness, of 'Our Father Abraham' (Avrham Avinu)

Although his experience cannot be dated exactly it seems to have happened sometime between 2000BCE and 1800BCE. Because of this Abraham moved from the town of Ur and traveled 1000 miles to the town of Hebron. It was in Hebron that God revealed to Abraham that his descendants would be protected and would in time become a great nation. (Read Genesis 12:1-9)

Abraham is often called one of the Jewish Patriarchs (Father Figure). The other two Jewish patriarchal figures are Isaac (Abraham's son) and Jacob (Isaac's son). An important event in Jewish history is the way that God tests Abraham, by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac (Read Genesis 22:1-19).

The Jewish rite (ritual practice) of circumcision started at the time of Abraham. God said that this would be the sign of belonging to the tribe of Israel. (Read Genesis 17:9-10)

Important words

• Abraham - The Patriarch who left Ur and settled in Canaan in obedience to God's command.
• BCE - Way of counting time, Before Christian Era.
• Isaac - Son of Abraham and one of the Patriarchs.
• Jacob - Son of Abraham and the third of the Patriarchs.
• Patriarch - The title given to the three early "father figures" of the Israelites.

Key events in the life of Abraham

• God calls Abraham to Canaan - Genesis 12:1-9
• Abraham rescues his nephew, Lot - Genesis 14
• God promises Abraham and his wife (Sarah) a son - Genesis 18:1-15
• Isaac is born - Genesis 21:1-8
• God tests Abraham with the sacrifice of Isaac - Genesis 22
• Abraham dies - Genesis 25:7-11

More information about Abraham can be found : Ayre Forta "Judaism