History Crash Course #68: Timeline: From Abraham to the State of Israel

Torah Reading: Be'halot'cha

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Easy print PDF version of this timeline 12k
PDF courtesy of S. Malka Cohen at J M Publishers

We have now reached the conclusion of this series and before we wrap up it is fitting for us to put into perspective the ground that we have covered.

Note that we are following the Jewish calendar for these events (and not the Gregorian calendar which is at times 150 years at odds with Jewish computations). For more on this issue see Part 21.

Easy print PDF version of this timeline 12k
PDF courtesy of S. Malkah Cohen at J M Publishers

Crash Course in Jewish History -- The Book

See below for info on the Crash Course in Jewish History book - fully sourced and annotated with timelines, maps, charts and bibliography. If you enjoyed the course online, you'll love the book!

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Published: March 16, 2002

Visitor Comments: 49

(48) Alain, July 3, 2012 4:54 PM

Thank you for this important teaching of the Bible and true history of Israel.Shalom

(47) Peter Bayliss, May 1, 2012 9:01 PM

allow me to be on your mailing list.

As a Christian I have always felt that we owe so much to your nation, for it was through you that God spoke and still speaks today. We love His own people and the nation. I hope that my stance as a Christian who weeps at the history of the many so-called christians who treated the Jewish nation so badly and so seeks your forgiveness, that you will allow me to be on your mailing list.

Leonard Gorsky, May 30, 2012 8:50 PM

why?

in your opinion, why have the jews been so persecuted over the years, and why are we still today? there are only 16[?] million of us and 1 billion of both christians and moslems. i have been jewish since birth and i never hated anyone, christian, moslem, black or white.

(46) Kai Kona Miller, April 21, 2012 6:36 PM

Born in Kona Hawaii and moved to Jonstown Colorado.

Very good timeline it shows a lot.

(45) Anonymous, November 6, 2011 5:22 PM

very helpful and neat :D

(44) Nydia Grube, May 15, 2011 12:53 AM

I loved your timeline I can study the bible form it.

Thank you for your wisdom!

(43) Jorge Amaro, March 30, 2011 1:59 PM

Muchas gracias; excelentísimo!

WOW! A miracle indeed. Jorge

(42) sari, July 20, 2010 9:52 AM

hebrew dates

Is it possible to fine hone the time line by adding in the equivalent hebrew year? I think it wd be greaty appreciated by many. thanks.

(41) Anonymous, September 28, 2009 1:53 PM

A most useful and inspiring history, wonderfully clear and easy to follow.

(40) Magdalena, March 11, 2009 1:47 PM

Needed information on judaism history

This is a good web site on the Judaism information. i have look at many web site and not enough information on this subject and i will let others know about this web site. the reason for the information i am in a religion class at the University of Phoenix and writing about a time line for Abraham to the present. thanks, mags

(39) Anonymous, February 1, 2009 12:37 AM

Thank you muchly!

I spent two hours trying to find information about what happened in Egypt before Moses and i finally found this website. And in half an hour i had everything i needed, and more. THANK YOU SO MUCH for the info. it was comprehensive and easy to understand even for me. plus it was really interesting so i read more than i actually had to...so thank you :D

(38) Anonymous, October 24, 2008 12:00 PM

thanks for the great timeline kk ^_^

(37) Niki, October 7, 2008 7:18 PM

Thank you!

This timeline just helped me so much with my Judaism test. Thank you so much!!

(36) tazeen, August 11, 2008 9:46 PM

Appreciation

I am a Muslim and reading jewish history since last year as an ameteur but let me admit this is the most informative history written with open minds. especially i have seen that u have mentioned jews condition in Muslim world with honesty. None such article i found written by a jew. Bravo for such detailed information.

(35) Grace Fishenfeld, April 8, 2008 5:02 PM

No ending for me

You mentioned that we have come to the end of this series. Please continue to write about Jewish History. I have not come close to learning enough. I hope we can return to many of the chapters. I depend upon the information you have so generously provided. I thank you Rabbi Spiro, for your excellent work. It is such a pleasure to read and think about the Jewish past which has a great effect on our future.I love reading the comments from the many different people and I thank them also.
Grace

(34) Joey, April 4, 2008 11:30 AM

Thanks to the Rabbi for all the great lessons, and God bless!

(33) Mike, April 3, 2008 6:14 AM

Great course!

Really enjoyed thecourse and found it easy to read and very instructive.

(32) Anonymous, April 1, 2008 2:26 PM

I agree with Edward Prato!

(31) Menashe Kaltmann, April 1, 2008 1:01 AM

Fantastic diagram

Great diagram showing the timeline of Jewish history an aid to all educators. Thank you aish.com and R. Spiro yet again for this series!

(30) Ori, November 9, 2007 10:26 AM

sources

I work at a Jewish day school and have begun using this timeline as part of a lesson. Please tell me the sourses used to compile the information given.
Thank you!

(29) Jeanne Whisenant, July 18, 2007 5:46 PM

wonderfully detailed history!

For a Gentile with little Jewish history knowledge, this site is a wonderful place to see the entire Jewish history in a neatly done timeline. Thank you for the work.

(28) Anonymous, June 5, 2007 1:46 AM

What a pity that the histories have come to an end with number 68! It has been such a pleasure receiving them and
reading them. I have downloaded them and now intend to begin again and read
them more carefully.

I congratulate you on writing so well and informatively. The series
of 68 give an excellent insight into Jewish history and I am sure that
other readers are also inspired to go further.

Many, many thanks from a very contended and grateful recipient in
Melbourne, Australia.

(27) Anonymous, February 1, 2007 12:36 PM

brilliant!

I have never read or seen any piece so brilliantly summarized in such distinct
detail.This was before my time but left me in tears!

(26) Anonymous, February 11, 2006 12:00 AM

After my trip to Greece, I wanted to understand what was happening in Jewish hstory at the time of the ancient Greeks. You've broadened my experience of the ancient world.

(25) milena-anna, July 11, 2004 12:00 AM

thanks

the title of this article looks just like the topis of my studies and work to get the masters degree, thanks for the summary:)If there is anyone who has materials on the subject, I'd be grateful. I am jewish but I live in Poland. It is hard to get anything about our history.

(24) Johnny A., March 27, 2004 12:00 AM

Thanks for the historical clarification!

This timeline is an excellent tool to understand the history of the Jewish people! I always had many misconceptions about the events surrounding the establishment of the State of Israel, and was very pleased to have the historical facts presented to me in such a clear and concise manner. I'm very impressed, and plan to pass on this website to others who may be interested. Thanks!

(23) Erica, February 15, 2004 12:00 AM

Thank you so much for having this wonderful reasearch. It helped me so much on my Religion project. I'm glad I learned more about my religion!

(22) Rex S. Rambo, December 1, 2003 12:00 AM

Greatest historial writings I have ever read.

I have a profound insight into Jewish history and the great Jewish religion that is awesome to me. Thank you

(21) noelle stills, December 1, 2003 12:00 AM

The information is excellent . Thank you for your insight, I have enjoyed all the articles.

Thank you for the information!!!!

(20) Kaustav Chakrabarti, December 1, 2003 12:00 AM

Thanks

Many thanks for a wonderful journey through Jewish history. I have enjoyed it thoroughly.May I use your articles for research?

(19) joey, August 15, 2003 12:00 AM

a great peice of work.

made me read it a second time!

(18) Justin Amler, April 18, 2002 12:00 AM

Wow...

What a truly amazing piece of writing. I have read heaps of history before but the way its displayed is so refreshing and informative its forced me to think so much about my heritage and my place in the world.

Is there anyway we can email you Rabbi directly?

(17) Hyman Novak, April 17, 2002 12:00 AM

Your web sites are very informativ. Mazeltov

I enjoy receiving mail from you, beause even at my ripe old age of 75, I am never to old to learn, and your page, I do learn something new.
Keep them coming and above all keep well

(16) L Martin, April 10, 2002 12:00 AM

Thank you Thank you Thank you

(15) Ed Prato, April 4, 2002 12:00 AM

Thankyou for making available this informative description of Jewish history. I am a non-Jew and, I must say, an "areligeous" person. However I think that it is essential that, before once can make an informed opinion about the current Arab-Israeli conflict, one must be exposed to all sides of the dispute. I have swallowed as much Palestinian and Arab rhetoric as I can and I have concluded that most of their opinions are mindless and uninspiring. Unfortunately, much of the world is coming down on the side of Palestinian terrorists citing that Israel must stop occupying Palestinian lands. An informed opinion (from whom was the land taken to begin with?) makes the argument stronger for the inverse relationship. Israel is, has been, and should be the homeland of the Jews. I believe that and I support Israel's right to defend their sovereignty. It is clear that Arabs are in general mislead and completely misinformed by their media. It is also my firm belief that opinions should only be considered when they are based on accurate information. Towards this end, the distribution of information, I appreciate your efforts. Please continue , I will visit again.
Sincerely,
Edward A. Prato

(14) Kay Smith, April 4, 2002 12:00 AM

"CHOSEN"

In an effort to better understand the on-going struggle in the Holy Land, I have been searching for an understandable history of Israel. What a gold-mine of information you have provided in this series. Once people learn about the struggle of the Jewish people for their homeland, they must realize that we must step up our efforts to support Israel.

(13) TRISH WELLS, April 2, 2002 12:00 AM

FABULOUS!

FOR YEARS, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND MY WAY HOME. YOU HAVE OFFERED ME A WEALTH OF INFORMATION AND RECOGNITION THAT WE WILL ENDURE. I HAVE OFTEN WONDERED HOW I MADE IT THIS FAR. NOW I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT I HAVE. IT IS A WONDERFUL ENLIGHTENMENT.

(12) robert griese, March 30, 2002 12:00 AM

This is a wonderful short history.

Everyone,in the US and the world, would have a much better understanding and I would hope positive feeling for the Jewish people, and themselves if they read this history.

(11) Linda Schaeffer, March 28, 2002 12:00 AM

Absolutely Superb

Thank you so much for the absolutely superb Jewish History series. I learned much about our Jewish Heritage and have enjoyed reading each series. It was so well written that I am going to read it and study it more in depth. Again, thank you; and please continue to write more about Jewish History.

(10) Irving Tessel, March 27, 2002 12:00 AM

Fantastic Overview of Jewish History

Thank you for writing this series. I have downloaded the series and have had them bound in a book format.

(9) Paul Kaplan, March 26, 2002 12:00 AM

Thank you for doing The Jewish History Series

It is wonderful to be reminded of where we came from and what we have been through, and to be reminded that we will continue, in spite of constant challenges to our existence.

(8) Ida Whitstein, March 20, 2002 12:00 AM

WONDERFUL!! ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!

I have learned so very much from your articles. Thank you for what you are doing to educate people!
Shalom

(7) Norma Wollard, March 19, 2002 12:00 AM

An Enlightening course, which every Jew and non-Jew alike should read, digest, and take to heart. I, a Roman Catholic and a teacher, fully enjoyed learning your history,and even more about my own. It has cleared away some of the shadows, cob-webs and fallices of my churches teachings, (mostly by the omissions) .Certainly,I have gained more understanding.

I am going to take this course again. It is far from boring, I appreciate the humor too.........Thank you.

(6) Kenneth Handschuh, March 18, 2002 12:00 AM

I have saved each chapter and read them as time permits. I have found the series to be very informative and will serve as a valuable reference.

(5) Stella Carabajal, March 18, 2002 12:00 AM

I have found this Jewish crash course in helping me to understand my Jewish Roots It was awesome. I did not start from the beginning of this courses. I started at the middle of the courses. I would like to receive from the first to number 29., If at all possible. I have made copies for myself to have on hand and have forward them to other friends. I thank you for being able to present them to whomsoever would want to know the history of our fathers.

(4) Chayka B, March 18, 2002 12:00 AM

Thank you!

Thank you for your series. While I consider myself fairly knowledgable in Jewish history - the way you presented and explaned it taught me a lot. I look forward to reading more from you.

(3) Jerry Bell, March 18, 2002 12:00 AM

Thank you very much for the Jewish History series. Although, some of this history I knew there was much I didn't know or remember. I enjoyed each and every chapter.

Thanks again.

(2) Michal Meyer, March 18, 2002 12:00 AM

interesting!

it was very interesting, Thanks!

(1) Jeffrey Stevenson, March 17, 2002 12:00 AM

Thank's for the Jewish History Series

Thank you so much for the Jewish History series I have not missed one series. The series has helped me greatly to understand much about the history and difficult times in a very skillful presentation.
Much Thanks

See All Comments

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About the Author

Rabbi Ken Spiro

More by this Author >

Rabbi Ken Spiro, originally from New Rochelle, NY, graduated from Vassar College with a BA in Russian Language and Literature and did graduate studies at the Pushkin Institute in Moscow. He has rabbinic ordination from Aish Jerusalem and a Masters Degree in History from Vermont College of Norwich University. Rabbi Spiro is also a licensed tour guide by the Israel Ministry of Tourism. He has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs such as BBC, National Geographic Channel and The History Channel. He lives near Jerusalem with his wife and five children, where he works as a senior lecturer for Aish Jerusalem.

Crash Course in Jewish History is "a comprehensive, thoughtful and highly educational survey of Jewish history.” - Sir Martin Gilbert

In one volume, Crash Course in Jewish History explores the 4,000 years of Jewish existence while answering the great questions: Why have the Jewish people been so unique, so impactful, yet so hated and so relentlessly persecuted?

Crash Course in Jewish History is not only comprehensive and readable, it is also entertaining and enlightening. Novices and scholars alike will find Crash Course in Jewish History to be thought-provoking and insightful, as well as a valuable and relevant guide to understanding the challenges we all face in the 21^st century.

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History Crash Course #68: Timeline: From Abraham to the State of Israel

Four thousand years of Jewish history at a glance.

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