What are 5 interesting facts about the Hebrews?

Answer 1

1) Abraham was the first monotheist, but not the first Hebrew. The word "Hebrew" is more generic: the first Hebrew was Eber, an ancestor of Abraham (see Genesis ch.10 and 11).

2) The Hebrews are also commonly referred to as Israelites or Jews.

3) The Hebrew language is one of the oldest surviving ancient languages.

4) Mark Twain said this about the continued survival of the Hebrew people:

"The Egyptians, the Babylonians and the Persians rose, filled the planet with sound and splendor, then faded to dream-stuff and passed away; the Greeks and Romans followed and made a vast noise, and they were gone; other people have sprung up and held their torch high for a time but it burned out, and they sit in twilight now, or have vanished.

The Jew saw them all, survived them all, and is now what he always was, exhibiting no decadence, no infirmities, of age, no weakening of his parts, no slowing of his energies, no dulling of his alert but aggressive mind. All things are mortal but the Jews; all other forces pass, but he remains. What is the secret of his immortality?"

5) The Hebrew Bible is the source of many things that are today taken for granted:

-- The Jewish Biblical monotheistic religious tradition shaped the Western beliefs about God.

-- The 7-day week.

--The concept of morality was also the work of the Hebrews, including the dignity and value of a person.

Also:

-- Parents are responsible for teaching children.

-- Infants are to be protected and cared for, whether or not they turned out to be the gender you were hoping for.

-- Cruelty to animals is not acceptable.

-- Government is accountable to a higher authority.

-- A robber repays double to his victim, or works it off. Cutting off the hands of a robber is unacceptable.

-- It is the responsibility of the community to support the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the stranger passing through.