What is Judaism's historical background?

Answer 1

Judaism began in the lifetime of Abraham, as he taught the oneness of God, and God's ways. Isaac and Jacob continued this tradition; and Jacob and his children went down to Egypt during a famine. A couple of centuries later, the descendants of Jacob were redeemed from Egypt by God, who soon after that gave them the Torah through Moses. A few decades later they entered Canaan (Israel) under Joshua. The leaders in the following three centuries were called Judges and include such recognizable names as Deborah, Gideon, Yiftach (Jephthah) and Samson. King David was anointed after that period.