Will Manory: Homework October 1, 2015

Throughout early human development, civilizations have developed religions that are rooted in polytheistic ideals.  Differing from this historical trend was the creation of Judaism, as the Jews took a monotheistic approach to honoring their God, Yahweh.  However it was not until the compilation of the Hebrew Scriptures, better known as the Tanakh, that truly solidified the monotheistic faith that the Jews so habitually followed.  Although for all the positives that came from banishing polytheistic views in the Jewish community, there were many negatives.  In a sense, the Jews self-segregated themselves as they developed rules in their society that were not denouncing of other peoples, but just not overly accepting.  An example of this is the rule that states no Jewish person can marry a non-Jewish person, which obviously creates a variety of possible mates, as well as excluding large populations of people.  This, in a way, is the earliest form of Jewish "arrogance".  This arrogance being viewed from the outside in, meaning non-Jews could have viewed the Jews as arrogant for not believing other peoples were "good enough" to marry.  

Having their historical lands being located in an area of the world that is very easy to invade, the Jewish community was constantly conquered by many different empires throughout history; such as the Assyrians, the Babylonians and even the Romans.  Forced to follow different laws, being subjected to varying forms of government, and constantly moving made the Jewish people one of the largest groups of people to not have a definite home land.  Although their constant migration could have created the stereotype that "no one wants the Jews", the Jewish populations became tightly knit over the centuries as they believed that their benevolent God would see them through to the promise lands.