Patriarchs and Matriarchs
The history of the Jewish people begin with the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and matriarchs (Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah) - specifically Abraham and Sarah. The history of the Jewish people is divided into five different periods: Biblical Period, Second Temple Period, Talmudic Period, Medieval Period, and Modern Period.

Abraham and Sarah
Abraham
Abraham was born under the name Abram in the city of Ur of the Chaldees to Terah, an idol merchant. From his early childhood, he questioned the faith of his father and sought the truth. He came to believe that the entire
universe was the work of a single Creator, and he began to teach this belief to others.

In the morning when he saw the sun rise in the east, he thought, "This is a great power. It must be the king who created me," That whole day he  prayed to the sun. In the evening, upon seeing the sun set and the moon rise, he said, "Surely this one rules even that other power to which I prayed, for it no longer shines." All night he prayed to the moon. In the morning, upon seeing the darkness pass and the east light up, he said "Surely all these have a King and Ruler Who directs them."When G-d saw Abraham's longing for Him, He appeared to Abraham and spoke with him. (Zohar 1:86a)

Abram attempted to convince his father of the folly of idol worship.

Terah manufactured idols. Once he went on a trip and left Abraham to sell them in his place. When someone came to buy, Abraham would ask, "How old are you?" The customer would answer that he was fifty or sixty years old. Woe to this man!" Abraham would say. "He is sixty years old, yet he wants to bow down to a one-day old idol!" The man would go away in shame. A woman came in, carrying a bowl of flour. She said to Abraham, "Take this and offer it before the idols." He took a stick, broke all the idols, and placed the stick in the hand of the biggest one. When his father cam, he asked, "Who did this to them?" "Why should I hide it from you?" replied Abraham. "A woman came in carrying a bowl of flour, and said to me, 'Offer this before the idols.' So I offered it before them. This one said, 'I will eat first!' and that one said, 'I will eat first!' The biggest one took a stick and broke the rest." "Why are you fooling me!" said Terah. "Do idols have understanding?" Abraham replied, "Let your ears hear what your mouth is saying." ... (Bereishis Rabbah 38:8)

Eventually, the one true Creator that Abram had worshipped called to him, and made him an offer: if Abram would leave his home and his family, then G-d would make him a great nation and bless him. Abram accepted this offer, and the b'rit (covenant) between G-d and the Jewish people was established.

Abraham kept every detail of the Torah and taught it to his sons. (Bereishis Rabbah 95:3)

Ten Trials of Abraham

“Ten miracles were performed for our forefathers in Egypt, and another ten at the sea. Ten afflictions were wrought by G-d upon the Egyptians in Egypt, and another ten at the sea. With ten tests our forefathers tested G-d in the desert, as is stated (Numbers 14:22), ‘They tested Me these ten times, and did not hearken to My voice.’ ” (Pirkei Avot 5:4)¹

There are frequent references to the ten trials of Avraham throughout Jewish literature. Due to these trials, Avraham was given special status as the servant and friend of Hashem and the ancestor of the Children of Israel. However, what these ten trials are is not exactly clear. Many of these trials are elucidated in the Torah such as his call to leave Ur of Chaldees and his circumcision.² Other trials are disputed among various commentators. What follows are the trials according to Rashi³, Rabbeinu Yonah², and the Rambam³.

Rashi
1. Abraham hid underground for thirteen years from King Nimrod (Pirke d'Rabbi Eliezer)
2. Nimrod flung Avraham into a burning furnace (Genesis Rabbah 38:13)
3. Abraham was commanded to leave his family and homeland (Genesis 12:1-2)
4. Abraham was forced to escape a famine in Canaan (Genesis 12:10)
5. Sarah was kidnapped by Pharaoh's officials (Genesis 12:15)
6. Abraham was forced to go to war to rescue Lot (Genesis 14:12-16)
7. G-d told Abraham that his offspring would suffer under the rule of four monarchies (Genesis 15:14)
8. Abraham was commanded to circumcise himself and his son (Genesis 17:10-13)
9. Abraham was commanded to drive away Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:9-14)
10. Abraham was told to bind Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22:1-2)

Rabbeinu Yonah
1. Nimrod flung Avraham into a burning furnace (Genesis Rabbah 38:13)
2. Abraham was commanded to leave his family and homeland (Genesis 12:1-2)
3. Abraham was forced to escape a famine in Canaan (Genesis 12:10)
4. Sarah was kidnapped by Pharaoh's officials (Genesis 12:15)
5. Abraham was forced to go to war to rescue Lot (Genesis 14:12-16)
6. Abraham was commanded to circumcise himself and his son (Genesis 17:10-13)
7. Sarah’s abduction by Avimelech (Genesis 20:2)
8. Abraham was commanded to drive away Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:9-14)
9. Abraham was told to bind Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22:1-2)
10. Abraham’s purchase of a burial plot for Sarah (Genesis 23:3-4, 16-17)

Rambam
1. Abraham was commanded to leave his family and homeland (Genesis 12:1-2)
2. Abraham was forced to escape a famine in Canaan (Genesis 12:10)
3. Sarah was kidnapped by Pharaoh's officials (Genesis 12:15)
4. Abraham was forced to go to war to rescue Lot (Genesis 14:12-16)
5. Abraham taking Hagar as a concubine (Genesis 16:1-3)
6. Abraham was commanded to circumcise himself and his son (Genesis 17:10-13)
7. Sarah’s abduction by Avimelech (Genesis 20:2)
8. Abraham is told to drive away Hagar (Genesis 21:10)
9. Abraham’s distaste at driving away Ishmael (Genesis 21:11)
10. Abraham was told to bind Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22:1-2)

³Stone Edition Tanach, Appendix B, Chart 3: The Ten Trials of Avraham (ArtScroll: New York, 1998) p. 2029

Sarah
Sarah was also born to idolaters but accepted the yoke of Torah along with her marriage to Abraham. Sarah was a righteous person who is considered one of the seven prophetesses. (Megillah 14a) She is called one of the "women in the tent" (Horios 10b) because she conducted herself with modesty even in the privacy of her tent. The hymn (Proverbs 31) was about the matriarch Sarah (Shocher Tov 112:1)

The Holy One, Blessed is He, spoke to all [other] righteous women through and angel, but to Sarah [He spoke] through Divine communication. (Lekach Tov, Bereishis 23:1)

Isaac and Rebecca
Isaac
Isaac was born circumcised on Passover to Abraham and Sarah. From his early childhood, he was taught Torah by his father Abraham and Uncle Shem.

Where was Isaac? [Abraham] had sent him to Shem to study Torah, for Abraham said, "All that I possess is only because I engaged in Torah and mitzvot. Therefore, I do not want it ever to depart from my seed." (Bereishis Rabbah 56:11)

For Abraham's tenth test of faith, G-d Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. This test is known in Jewish tradition as the Akeidah (the Binding, a reference to the fact that Isaac was bound on the altar). This test also demonstrated Isaac's own faith for he knew that he was to be sacrificed yet he did not resist his father. At the last moment, G-d sent an angel to stop the sacrifice. This story is used to show that G-d fiercely dislikes human sacrifice and forbids it for all peoples.

After the Patriarch Abraham died, the Holy One, Blessed is He, appeared to Isaac and blessed him. (Bereishis Rabbah 61:6)

Rebecca
She is called one of the "women in the tent" (Horios 10b) because she conducted herself with modesty even in the privacy of her tent. Rebecca was born into a family of idolaters but was in the image of Sarah. (Zohar 1:133a) When Rebecca was fourteen years of age she married Isaac and accepted the yoke of Torah. Rebecca knew that Jacob must be the one to carry forth the teaching of Torah and become the father of the nation of Israel. She therefore instructed Jacob how to trick his father into giving him Esau's blessing and birthright.

Each one agitated to kill the other. When she stood by synagogues and study halls, Jacob would struggle to emerge, and when she passed by temples of idolatry, Esau struggled to emerge. ... (Bereishis Rabbah 63:6)

Jacob (Israel) and Rachel and Leah
Jacob
Jacob was born circumcised to Isaac and Rebecca. From his early childhood, he was taught Torah by his father, his grandfather Abraham, and his uncles Shem and Eber.

No one ever toiled in Torah like the Patriarch Jacob. He would go from Shem's house of study to Eber's, and from Eber's house of study to Abraham's. (Tanchuma, ed. Buber, Vayishlach 9) Isaac taught Jacob Torah and gave him rebuke in his house of study. (Shemos Rabbah 1:1)

Jacob and his brother Esau struggled within Rebecca's womb. Esau had little regard for the spiritual heritage of his forefathers, and sold his birthright  to Jacob for a bowl of stew. After Isaac was tricked by Rebecca into giving Jacob a blessing meant for Esau, Esau became very angry, so Jacob fled to live with his uncle. While living with his uncle, Jacob was deceived into marrying Rachel's older sister, Leah, but later married Rachel and Rachel's and Leah's maidservants, Bilhah and Zilphah. Jacob fathered 12 sons (the twelve tribes of Israel) and one daughter.

After many years living with and working for his uncle/father-in-law, Jacob returned to his homeland and sought reconciliation with his brother Esau. He prayed to G-d and gave his brother gifts. The night before he went to meet his brother he wrestled with a man until the break of day. As the dawn broke, Jacob demanded a blessing from the man, and the man revealed himself to be an angel. He blessed Jacob and gave him the name "Israel" (Yisrael), meaning "the one who wrestled with G-d" or "the Champion of G-d." The Jewish people are generally referred to as the Children of Israel, signifying our descent from Jacob. 

Rachel
She is called one of the "women in the tent" (Horios 10b) because she conducted herself with modesty even in the privacy of her tent. Rachel was a righteous person who is considered one of the seven prophetesses. (Megillah 14a) Rachel wept for the children of Israel of they were sent into exile.

... said [Jacob], "for I buried her [on the road] by Divine command. In the future my children will go into exile. When they pass Rachel's tomb, they will embrace it. She will stand and pray for mercy on their behalf, and the Holy One, Blessed is He, will accept her prayer." (Pesikta Rabbasi 3:69)

Leah
She is called one of the "women in the tent" (Horios 10b) because she conducted herself with modesty even in the privacy of her tent. Leah is the twin sister of Rachel who married Jacob first through trickery. Leah also bore Jacob's first child. Leah saw David and Solomon through Divine Inspiration. (Zohar Chadash, Ruth 82a). Her primary goal was to produce tribal ancestors through Jacob. When she died she earned the right to be buried along side Jacob.

All her life [until her marriage] Leah stood at the crossroads and wept because of Jacob, whom she had heard was righteous, [whereas] Rachel never went out on the road. Therefore Leah merited to be buried with Jacob, while Rachel's tomb stands at the crossroads. (Zohar 1:223a).

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Twelve Tribes
(Genesis 28:17-20, 49:1-27, Numbers 2:1-31)

Encampment (Printable Twelve Tribes Encampment )

(Printable Twelve Tribes )

Levite Cities
*Cities of Refuge

Tribe of Reuben - Heshbon, Jahaz, Bezer*
Tribe of Simeon - Ain, Jattir, Eshtemoa
Tribe of Judah - Juttah, Libnah, Hebron*
Tribe of Dan - Beth-shemesh, Elteke*
Tribe of Naphtali - Kedesh*
Tribe of Gad - Ramoth-Gilead*
Tribe of Asher - Jokneam, Helkath, Abdon, Rehob
Tribe of Issachar - Taanach, Dobrath, Hammoth-dor
Tribe of Zebulun - Dimnah, Kishion
Tribe of Ephraim - Gezer, Lower Beth-horon, Upper Beth-horon, Shechem*
Tribe of Manasseh - Ashtaroth, Golan*, Jarmuth, En-gannim, Gath-rimmon
Tribe of Benjamin - Aljalon, Gibeon, Geba, Almon, Anathoth

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Jewish History
Biblical Period (Note: These dates are only approximate)
3760 BCE - Adam and Eve created
3630 BCE - Seth born
3525 BCE - Enosh born
3435 BCE - Kenan born
3365 BCE - Mehalalel born
3300 BCE - Yered born
3138 BCE - Enoch born
3074 BCE - Methuselah born
2886 BCE - Lemech born
2831 BCE - Adam died
2704 BCE - Noah born
2203 BCE - Shem born
2102 BCE - The Flood
2102 BCE - Arpachshad born
2067 BCE - Shelach born
2038 BCE - Eber born
2003 BCE - Peleg born
1973 BCE - Reu born
1941 BCE - Serug born
1911 BCE - Nachor born
1882 BCE - Terach born
1813 BCE - Abraham born
1765 BCE - Tower of Babel
1755 BCE - Noah died
1743 BCE - Covenant with Abraham
1738 BCE - Abraham settles in Canaan (Map of Abraham's Journey)
1713 BCE - Isaac was born; Abraham circumcises himself; Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed
1677 BCE - Akedah (binding of Isaac); Sarah died
1653 BCE - Jacob was born
1638 BCE - Abraham died
1590 BCE - Isaac blesses Jacob instead of Esau
1569 BCE - Jacob marries Leah
1565 BCE - Levi born
1562 BCE - Joseph was born
1546 BCE - Joseph sold into slavery
1545 BCE - Kehath born
1533 BCE - Isaac died
1532 BCE - Joseph became Viceroy of Egypt
1523 BCE - Jacob and his family moved to Egypt
1506 BCE - Jacob died
1499 BCE - Amram born
1452 BCE - Joseph died
1429 BCE - Slavery of Hebrews in Egypt
1393 BCE - Moses born
1355 BCE - Joshua born
1314 BCE - Moses sees the burning bush
1313 BCE - Exodus (Map of Twelve Tribes); Sinai Covenant
1312 BCE - Moses brings down the second set of tablets
1272 BCE - Moses died; Joshua leads the Hebrews into the Land of Israel
1244 BCE - Joshua died; Elders lead the nation
1227 BCE - Othniel - first Judge of Israel
1187 BCE - Ehud - second Judge of Israel
1106 BCE - Deborah and Barak judged Israel
1066 BCE - Gideon judged Israel
1026 BCE - Abimelech judged Israel
981 BCE - Jephthah judged Israel
950 BCE - Samson judged Israel
930 BCE - Eli judged Israel
889 BCE - Samuel judged Israel
879 BCE - Saul becomes king
877 BCE - David becomes the second king of Israel
868 BCE - David established rule over Israel
836 BCE - Solomon became the third king of Israel
832 BCE - First Temple construction began
825 BCE - First Temple construction completed
796 BCE - Israel Divided (Map of the Kingdoms)
722 BCE - Northern Kingdom falls-Conquest by Assyrians (Map of the Kingdoms)
715 BCE - Hezekiah leads reform of the Kingdom of Judah
701 BCE - Hezekiah leads unsuccessful revolt against Assyria
620 BCE - During the reign of Josiah, Deuteronomy is found and as a result, reforms are instituted
597 BCE - Governor Gedaliah is murdered
587 BCE - Rebellion put down-First Babylonian Exile
538 BCE - Cyrus the Great and the Decree of the Return for the Jews
492 BCE - First Temple is destroyed - Second Babylonian Exile

Second Temple Period (Note: These dates are only approximate)
520 BCE - Second Temple construction began
515 BCE - Second Temple construction completed
438 BCE - Achashverosh became king of Persia
431 BCE - Esther taken to King Achashverosh of Persia
426 BCE - Haman casts lots; First Decree; Three-day fast declared by Esther; Haman defeated and executed; Second Decree, reversing the first
425 BCE - Haman's ten sons executed; First Purim celebration
424 BCE - Megillah Esther written
333 BCE - Antiochus takes charge over Judea
250 BCE - The Torah is translated into Greek (Septuagint)
166-160 BCE - Judah the Maccabee leads the Maccabean revolt
136 BCE - Miracle of Chanukah
63 BCE - Conquest by Pompey
37 BCE - Herod I becomes king
20 BCE - Herod I rebuilds the Second Temple
66-73 CE - Outbreak of rebellion against Rome
69 CE - Escape of Yochanan ben Zakkai from Jerusalem to Yavneh; Sanhedrin set up in Yavneh
70 CE - Second Temple destroyed by the Romans

Talmudic Period
73 CE - Masada falls
80 CE - Leadership of Rabbi Akiva began
114-117 CE - Diaspora rebellions against Rome
120 CE - Second Jewish Revolt (Bar Kochba revolt)
136 CE - Emperor Hadrian renamed Jerusalem Aelia Capitolina forbidding Jews from entering the city
136 CE - Emperor Hadrian built a pagan temple on the site of the Second Temple
136 CE - Emperor Hadrian renamed Judea Palestinia to mimimize Jewish identification with Israel
136 CE - Beginning of Office of Exilarch in Babylonia
200 CE - Rabbi Judah HaNasi completes editing of the Mishnah
220 CE - Founding of Sura Academy in Babylonia
250 CE - Rise of Pumbeditha Academy
306 CE - Anti-Jewish decisions made by the Church Council of Elvira in Spain
315 CE - Constantine proposes more anti-Jewish legislation
358 CE - Calendar calculated by Hillel II
368 CE - Closing of the Palestinian (Jerusalem) Talmud
425 CE - Cancellation of the position of Nasi (leader) and weakening of the Sanhedrin
500 CE - Babylonian Talmud is completed
511 CE - Mar Zutra led a revolt leading to an independent Jewish state in Babylonia
590 CE - Pope Gregory sets Church policy on the Jews
613 CE - Jews of Spain told to either convert or leave
629 CE - Persians gain temporary control over Palestine - Jews temporarily return to Jerusalem

Medieval Period
638 CE - Muslim conquest of Jerusalem - Jews permitted to return
690 CE - Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock built
712 CE - Muslim Conquest of Spain - many Jews follow
740 CE - Birth of Jewish Khazar Kingdom
770 CE - Anan ben David founded Karaites
840 CE - The Bodo Affair
909-1169 CE - Muslim intolerance forces Jews to convert or leave Egypt
1000 CE - Birth of the Yiddish language
1040 CE - Rashi was born
1066 CE - Norman Conquest of England - Jews come along
1070 CE - Growth of the School of Rashi in Troyes, France
1085 CE - Almoravides invasion of Spain causes Judaism to be outlawed
1095-1099 CE - First Crusade massacre of Jews and Muslims in Jerusalem
1098 CE - The Rise of the Polish community
1105 CE - Rashi dies
1127 CE - Jews found community in Honan Province, China
1131 CE - Rambam was born
1145-1147 CE - Second Crusade
1171 CE - First blood libel accusation
1182 CE - Expulsion of Jews from France
1187 CE - Jerusalem retaken by Muslims under Saladin
1189-1192 CE - Third Crusade
1190 CE - Forced conversion to Islam in Yemen
1201-1204 CE - Fourth Crusade
1210 CE - Aliyah of the Three Hundred Rabbis
1212 CE - Children's Crusade
1215 CE - Fourth Lateran Council - highpoint of anti-Jewish legislation by the Church
1217-1221 CE - Fifth Crusade
1228 CE - First appearance of the "Wandering Jew" story
1228-1229 CE - Sixth Crusade
1232 CE - Maimonides' Guide to the Perplexed banned in France
1238 CE - King James the First of Aragon grants a charter of rights to the Jews
1242 CE - Burning of the Talmud in Paris, France
1243 CE - The Desecration of the Host is used as a new libel
1244 - Tartars capture Jerusalem
1248-1254 CE - Seventh Crusade
1250 CE - First blood libel in Spain
1263 CE - Nachmanides- Pablo Christiani disputation in Barcelona
1267 CE - The Ramban arrives in Israel
1270 CE - Eighth Crusade
1271-1272 CE - Ninth Crusade
1282 CE - Archbishop of Canterbury, John Pectin, ordered all London synagogues closed
1285 CE - Blood libel in Germany leads to the deaths of 248 Jews
1287 CE - Blood libel in Germany leads to the deaths of 40 Jews
1290 CE - Jews expelled from England
1298 CE - Rindfleisch massacres in Germany
1306 CE - Expulsion of Jews from France
1320 CE - Pastoureaux Crusaders swept across Europe killing Jews on their way
1322 CE - Jews expelled from France
1338-1339 CE - Armleder bands massacred Jews across Germany
1348-1349 CE - Black Death and the accusation of the Jews
1349 CE - Expulsion of Jews from Hungary
1386 CE - Expulsion of Jews from Strassbourg, Germany
1391 CE - Jews massacred in Spain - some become Marranos (converts)
1413-1414 CE - Disputation of Tortosa and voluntary conversions of Jews
1420 CE - Expulsion of Jews from Lyons, France
1480 CE - Beginning of the Spanish Inquisition
1492-1493 CE - Expulsion of Jews from Spain and Sicily - some become Marranos (converts)
1495 CE - Expulsion of Jews from Lithuania
1496 CE - Expulsion of Jews from of Portugal
1501 CE - Development of Prague community
1516 CE - Expulsion of Jews from Naples and ghettoized in Venice
1517 CE - Ottoman Turks conquer Eretz Yisrael
1543 CE - Martin Luther attacks the Jews
1555 CE - Pope Paul the Fourth declares need for ghettoization of Jews
1567 CE - Shulchan Aruch published
1580 CE - Council of the Four Lands formed in Poland
1593 CE - Leghorn, Italy becomes important Jewish community
1615 CE - Expulsion of Jews from France
1624 CE - Development of Brazil community
1648 CE - Cossacks led by Bogdan Chimelniecki slaughter Jews in Ukraine
1648 CE - Shabbetai Zvi emerges as a false messiah
1654 CE - Jews settle in New Amsterdam
1655 CE - Rabbi Menashe ben Israel petitions for re-admittance of Jews into England
1656 CE - Cherem (excommunication) of Spinoza by Jewish community
1682 CE - Jews permitted to settle in Denmark
1670 CE - Expulsion of Jews from Vienna

Modern Period
1700 CE - Mass aliyah of Judah Hasid
1791 CE - Jewish community in Bordeaux, France is officially recognized
1730 CE - The first synagogue in North America is established
1740 CE - Baal Shem Tov begins the Chassidim movement
1751 CE - The Eybeschutz-Emden Affair
1760 CE - The Frankist Affair
1764 CE - The abolition of the Council of the Four Lands
1768 CE - Haidamacks massacre thousands of Jews
1777 CE - Vilna Gaon leads excommunication of Chassidim
1778 CE - First modern Jewish school (Jewish Free School) opens in Berlin, Germany
1782 CE - Edict of Toleration passed in Austria
1783 CE - Moses Mendelssohn published his translation of the Torah into German
1791 CE - Russia established Pale of Settlement defining areas in Western Russia where Jews are permitted to live
1794 CE - Berek Joselowicz organizes a Jewish Legion in Poland
1803 CE - Volozhin Yeshiva founded in Lithuania
1807 CE - Napoleon establishes Assembly of Notables in Paris (which met as the Great Sanhedrin two years later)
1819 CE - Anti-Jewish (Hep-Hep) riots throughout Germany and Denmark
1827 CE - Russia began inducting 12 year-old Jewish boys into a child's army (cantonists)
1832 CE - David Sassoon developed a Jewish community in Bombay, India
c.1839 CE - Forced conversion of Jews in Meshed, Persia
1840 CE - Damascus Blood Libel
c.1840 CE - The Musar Movement begins in Lithuania
1844 CE - First Reform Rabbinical meeting in Brunswick, Germany
1854 CE - Zechariah Frankel (European forerunner of Conservative/Masorti Judaism) opened the Jewish Theological Seminary in Breslau, Germany
1858 CE - Mortara Case
1874 CE - Reform Judaism movement establishes the Union of American Hebrew Congregations
1875 CE - Isaac Mayer Wise founds Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio
1881-1884 CE - Jews leave Russia after wave of Pogroms
1885 CE - First Pittsburgh Platform adopted by the Reform Judaism movement
1886 CE - Many laws passed in Russia that curtailed Jewish residency in villages and Pale of Settlement and quotas on gymnasia and universities
1886 CE - Solomon Schechter founds the Conservative Judaism movement and Jewish Theological Seminary of America
1888 CE - Jewish Publication Society of America founded
1891 CE - Jews expelled from Moscow
1894 CE - Dreyfus Affair
1897 CE - Founding of the Bund
1903 CE - The Kishinev Pogrom
1903 CE - "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" published in Russia
1913 CE - Mendel Beilis blood libel trial
1913 CE - Solomon Schechter founds the United Synagogue of America
1917 CE - Russian Revolution - cancellation of the Pale of Settlement and anti-Jewish laws
1918 CE - First American Jewish Congress held
1920 CE - England receives mandate of Palestine
1922 CE - Mordechai Kaplan founds the Society for the Advancement of Judaism-the basis for the Reconstructionist Judaism movement
1924 CE - Benjamin Frankel founds Hillel Foundation - first Hillel House open at University of Illinois
1927 CE - "The Jazz Singer" is produced
1928 CE - Beginning of the Jewish Autonomous Oblast area in Birobidzhan, USSR
1933 CE - Hitler comes to power in Germany
1933 CE - Cardinal Pacelli (later Pope Pius XII) issued the Hitler Concordat; whereby the Vatican accepted the National Socialism Nuremberg Laws on Reich citizenship enacted
1936-1938 CE - Stalin's purges
1937 CE - The Reform Judaism Movement publishes the Columbus Platform
1938 CE - Kristallnacht
1939 CE - Felix Frankfurter appointed to the United States Supreme Court
1939 CE - S.S. St. Louis carrying Jewish refugees refused docking at Cuba and America
1940 CE - Ghettos established in Poland by the Nazis
1941 CE - Holocaust (Shoah)
Massacre at Babi Yar
1942 CE - Nazis refine the "Final Solution" at Wannsee Conference
1943 CE - Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
1945 CE - Yeshiva College and RIETS become the Yeshiva University
1947 CE - Dead Sea Scrolls dating from 22 BCE founded at Qumran
1948 CE - Brandeis University founded
1952 CE - Reparations agreement with West Germany
1953 CE - In purge known as the Doctors' Plot, Stalin "unmasked" a group of Jewish physicians whom he claimed conspired to assassinate Soviet leaders
1953 CE - Julius and Ethel Rosenberg executed for conspiring to deliver U.S. atomic secrets to the U.S.S.R.
1954 CE - Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum opens
1954 CE - Stern College for Women opens
1968 CE - Reconstructionist Judaism movement founded by Mordechai Kaplan with the opening of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College
1961 CE - Adolph Eichmann on trial in Israel
1972 CE - First ordination of a Reform Judaism female rabbi
1973 CE - Arab oil embargo begins
1974 CE - First ordination of a Reconstructionist Judaism female rabbi
1983 CE - Reform Judaism rabbinate declares that a child of a Jewish father is Jewish if the child is so educated
1985 CE - First ordination of a Conservative Judaism female rabbi
1987 CE - Jonathan Pollard is sentenced to life in prison
1991 CE - Riots break out in Crown Heights, New York when a seven-year-old black boy was killed by a car driven by Chassidic Jews
1993 CE - U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum opens
1997 CE - Christopher Meili, a guard for Switzerland's largest bank reveals documents of transactions with Nazis
1999 CE - A gunman goes on a shooting rampage in a Los Angeles Jewish community center injuring five
2000 CE - Deborah Lipstadt is sued by Holocaust denier David Irving in England for libel
2000 CE - Federal judge approves $1.25 billion dollars to settle Holocaust claims against Swiss banks
2004 CE - Knesset approves Gaza Disengagement Plan
2004 CE - Presbyterian Church begin selective divestiture in companies operating in Israel
2005 CE - Disengagement carried out in Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank
2005 CE - Remains of King David's palace possibly found [article]
2006 CE - Ancient Jewish town from the time of King Solomon has been uncovered beneath the Arab village of Kafr  Kana, north of Nazareth, in the Galilee [article]
2006 CE - The Government of France and the National Railroad Association were fined $77,000 for the deportation of George Lipietz during World War II
2006 CE - Excavation of Temple aqueduct and mikveh opposite the Temple Mount [article]
2006 CE - Israeli President Katzav "temporarily" leaves office
2006 CE - Samuel's Tomb and Hebron Jewish cemetary vandalized [article]
2006 CE - Joshua's altar found [article]
2007 CE - Second Temple Jewish town uncovered in Jerusalem [article]
2007 CE - Herod's Grave Uncovered [article]
2007 CE - Shimon Peres becomes President of Israel
2007 CE - Annapolis Conference
2008 CE - Yisrael Beiteinu Party left Israeli government
2008 CE - President George W. Bush visits Israel
2008 CE - Shas Party threatens to leave Israeli government
2008 CE - Winograd Report
2008 CE - Prof. Avraham Trahtman of Bar Ilan University solved famous math problem known as the Road Coloring Conjecture
2008 CE - First Guide for Inclusive Prayer Services is Published [article]
2008 CE - Massacre at the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva in Jerusalem [article]
2008 CE - First Temple Building Remains found in Jerusalem [article]
2008 CE - Clay stamps used to seal messages are found in Jerusalem [article]
2008 CE - Second Temple coin found in Jerusalem [article]
2008 CE - First Temple seal found in Jerusalem [article]
2008 CE - Chabad Synagogue in Miami Torched [article]
2008 CE - First State-Funded Reform Temple [article]
2008 CE - Prime Minister Olmert announced his upcoming resignation [article]
2008 CE - Jewish Cemetery Spared from Destruction by Polish Farmers [article]
2008 CE - First Jewish Tartan and Kosher Kilt [article]
2008 CE - Three 9,000-Year-Old Skulls Found in Galilee [article]
2008 CE - Bnei Menashe Cleared for Arrival in Israel [article]
2008 CE - Jews, Christians at Odds Over Last Supper Site Construction [article]
2008 CE - Supreme Moslem Council: Temple Mount is Jewish [article]
2008 CE - Jewish Khazar Capital found [article]
2008 CE - 2nd Temple-Era Wall Found on Mt. Zion [article]
2008 CE - Tenth Century Inscription found in Shephelah [article]
2008 CE - Mofaz concedes to victory by PM Livni to head the Kadima party [article]
2008 CE - Grave Fragment Found: Son of Second Temple High Priest [article]
2008 CE - King Solomon’s Copper Mines Discovered [article]
2008 CE - Hebrew Seal from the First Temple Period Discovered [article]
2008 CE - First Temple-Era Water Tunnel Revealed in Jerusalem [article]
2008 CE - Oldest Hebrew Text Discovered at King David's Border Fortress [article]
2008 CE - 2,000-yr-old Earring Found in Jerusalem [article]
2008 CE - Byzantine Mosaic Floor Found Underneath the Aksa Mosque [article]
2008 CE - Likud primary elections held
2008 CE - King Herod’s VIP Room for Theatergoers Discovered [article]
2008 CE - 1,500 Year Old Bathhouse was Exposed in Zikhron Ya‘aqov [article]
2008 CE - Remains of Second Temple Era Jewish Town Revealed [article]
2008 CE - Rare Coin from Hasmonean Rebellion Found in Temple Mount Rubble [article]
2008 CE - Dream Come True: Buried Treasure Found Outside Temple Mount [article]
2008 CE - Leading Israeli Scientist Declares Pomegranate Inscription Authentic [article]
2008 CE - 10th Century Inscription from Shephelah [article]
2009 CE - Ivory pomegranate found in City of David excavations [article]
2009 CE - Operation Cast Lead
2009 CE - Ancient Marble Figurine of a Roman Boxer Found in City Of David [article]
2009 CE - Remains of Antonia Fortress [article]
2009 CE - Tel Aviv University researcher reconstructs ancient Israelite faces [article]
2009 CE - Argentina Expels Holocaust Denying Bishop [article]
2009 CE - Maccabee-Era Relics Found Near Jerusalem Shed Light On Ancient Jewish Warriors [article]
2009 CE - Heliodoros Stele Discovered [article]
2009 CE - Royal Seal Impressions were Discovered in Excavations of the Israel Antiquities Authority at Umm Tuba [article]
2009 CE - Torah 2.0: Old-Line Publisher Brings Biblical Commentary Into Online World [article]
2009 CE - Desert Secret Cracked: Ancient Hunting Techniques Revealed [article]
2009 CE - Muslims Desecrate Holy Books in Maarat Hamachpelah [article]
2009 CE - Byzantine Era Church Discovered Near Bet Shemesh [article]
2009 CE - 4,000-year-old 'Abraham's Gate' Reopened to Public [article]
2009 CE - A Byzantine Bathhouse was Uncovered Close to Kibbutz Gevim [article]
2009 CE - Mosaic Floors Restored and Renovated [article]
2009 CE - Pier from the Hellenistic Period was Discovered in Akko [article]
2009 CE - Benjamin Netanyahu is tasked with forming a unity government [article]
2009 CE - Exceptional Archaeological "Foot" Discovery in Jordan Valley [article]
2009 CE - Was a "Mistress of the Lionesses" a King in Ancient Canaan [article]
2009 CE - Fragment of a Hebrew Inscription from the Period of the Kings of Judah was Found [article]
2009 CE - Inauguration of the National Project to Conserve the Stones in the Western Wall and the Establishment of the Israel Antiquities Authority Conservation Department [article]
2009 CE - Accused Nazi Guard Won't Be Deported to Germany Yet [article]
2009 CE - Bolivian Raids on Chabad House 'Unexplainable' [article]
2009 CE - Worshippers Found Joseph’s Tomb Defaced Again [article]
2009 CE - Jerusalem Wins Tender for New Military School of Medicine [article]
2009 CE - Officials Search for Mass Grave of German Jews [article]
2009 CE - 70 Immigrants from South Africa and Zimbabwe Given Their Israeli ID Cards at a Ceremony at the Western Wall [article]
2009 CE - Workers Find Message Hidden in Auschwitz Wall [article]
2009 CE - Macedonia: Archaeologists to Reconstruct Jewish Cemetery in Shtip [article]
2009 CE - Committee Approves Anti-Catastrophe Day Bill [article]
2009 CE - Defiant Settlers Build New Outpost Near Migron Containing "Obama Hut" [article]
2009 CE - Peres Challenges Saudi King to Visit Israel [article]
2009 CE - Arabs burn Holy Books [article]
2009 CE - Abbas admits Arabs left Galilee on their own [article]
2009 CE - Temple model inaugurated [article]
2009 CE - Ancient First Temple Artifacts Uncovered in Jerusalem [article]
2009 CE - Israel's Atlantis [article]
2009 CE - The Museum of the Good Samaritan Opens to the Public [article]
2009 CE - Ancient Stone Returns to Jerusalem [article]
2009 CE - Lod Mosaic Re-exposed [article]
2009 CE - Huge Roman Era Cave Found by Jericho [article]
2009 CE - Intact Ancient Tomb Uncovered in Bethlehem [article]
2009 CE - Israeli Archeologists Unearth Herod’s Quarry [article]
2009 CE - Extraordinary Finds at the Mt Zion Excavation [article]
2009 CE - Antiquity Thieves Return Ancient Items to Israel [article]
2009 CE - Stone Vessel with 'Priestly Inscription' Uncovered In Jerusalem [ancient]
2009 CE - Israel Antiquities Authority to register antiquities collections held by the general public in Israel [article]
2009 CE - Thirteen burial sites, temples and personal items dating to the Canaanite period in Sidon [article]
2009 CE - Remains from period of King Hezekiah discovered [article]
2009 CE - World Archaeological Conference excludes Israel [article]
2009 CE - Synagogue found at Lycian site [article]
2009 CE - Aphrodite figurines found in Golan Heights [article]
2009 CE - Miniature carving of Alexander the Great found at Tel Dor [article]
2009 CE - Roman building exposed in the City of David [article]
2009 CE - Carved stone plaque bearing archaic Egyptian signs found at Tel Bet Yerah [article]
2009 CE - Fragment of the Codex Sinaticus found in Egypt [article]
2009 CE - A Jerusalem walkway from the times of Abraham has been discovered [article] new
2009 CE - The largest-ever known number of coins from the time of Bar-Kochba has been discovered [article] new
2009 CE - Bible-era mystery vessel found [article] new
2009 CE - Second Temple era synagogue discovered a few miles north of Tiberias [article] new
2009 CE - Earliest known depiction of a Second Temple lamp uncovered [article] new
2009 CE - Street connecting the Temple Mount with the Pool of Siloam discovered [article] new
2009 CE - 2000-year-old Roman amphitheatre discovered near Tiberias [article] new
2009 CE - Building at Khirbet Omrit is being excavated in a belief that it may be Herod's temple built for Emperor Augustus [article] new
2009 CE - 2,000-year-old mikveh discovered near the Western Wall [article] new
2009 CE - Joseph-Era coins found in Egypt [article] new
2009 CE - "Hall of Ages" uncovered in Western Wall tunnel [article] new
2009 CE - Israel is planning a major archaeological dig under the Western Wall plaza [article] new
2009 CE - Beit Shearim menorah caves restored [article] new
2009 CE - U.S. State Department assists Yemenit Jews to escape to America [article] new
2009 CE - 350 rare pieces of marble uncovered near Akko [article] new
2009 CE - Hundreds of tons of weaponry seized by the Israeli navy [article] new
2009 CE - Remains of Minoan-style painting discovered [article] new
2009 CE - IDF Officers School 'Bahad 1' has a new synagogue [article] new
2009 CE - 9/11 Memorial Dedicated in Israel [article] new
2009 CE - Attempted terror attack Mughrabi Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem [article] new
2009 CE - Vandalism at the tomb of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel [article] new
2009 CE - Dissolvable wound dressing developed at Tel Aviv University [article] new
2009 CE - Digital map reveals Israeli archaeology [article] new
2009 CE - Swastikas spray-painted at Gush Katif evictee site at Nitzan [article] new
2009 CE - First map of contested sites in the Middle East published [article] new
2009 CE - Cave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai vandalized [article] new
2009 CE - PM Benjamin Netanyahu declared 10-month settlement freeze in Judea and Samaria [article] new
2009 CE - Physical proof that the Hasmoneans' rule extended deep into the Negev discovered [article] new
2009 CE - Reconstituted stele yielded a text from the king dated 178 BCE - 11 years before the Maccabean Revolt [article] new
2009 CE - Second Temple building exposed in Nazareth [article] new
2009 CE - Terror attack in Samaria leaves father of seven dead [article] new

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Flood Timeline
(According to Rabbi Eliezer)
17 Cheshvan - Rain began
17 Cheshvan-28 Kislev - 40 days of rain
28 Kislev-1 Sivan - 150 days water swelled
1 Sivan - Water started to recede
17 Sivan - Ark rested on Mount Ararat
1 Av - Mountaintops became visible
1 Av-10 Elul - 40 days wait until Noah opened the window
10 Elul - Raven sent
10 Elul-17 Elul - 7 days
17 Elul - Dove sent
17 Elul-24 Elul - 7 days
24 Elul - Dove brought back olive branch
24 Elul-1 Tishrei - 7 days
1 Tishrei - Dove flew away and Noah removed ark's cover
27 Cheshvan - End of flood

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Kohen Gadol

Exodus until Babylonian Exile
1. Aaron - Served during the Exodus
2. Eleazar - Served during the Exodus
3. Phinehas - Served during the conquering of Eretz Yisrael
4. Abishua
5. Bukki
6. Uzzi ben Bukki (I Chronicles 6:3-5)
7. Eli - Served at Shiloh
8. Ahitub (I Chronicles 9:11)
9. Ahijah - Served at Shiloh (I Samuel 14:3)
10. Ahimelech - Served at Nob during the reign of King Saul, Assisted David (I Samuel 21:1)
11. Abiathar - Served at Nob, Only priest to survive the assassinations by King Saul, Assisted David (I Samuel 33:6)
12. Zadok - Served during the reign of King David (I Kings 2:35)
13. Ahimaaz - Served during the reign of King David (II Samuel 15:36)
14. Azariah - Served during the reign of King Solomon (I Kings 4:2)
15. Joash (Seder Olam Zuta) or Joran (Josephus)
16. Jehoiarib (I Chronicles 9:10)
17. Jehoshaphat (Seder Olam Zuta) or Axiomar (Josephus)
18. Jehoiada - Served during the reign of King Ahaziah (II Kings 11:4)
19. Pedaiah (Seder Olam Zuta) Phideas (Josephus)
20. Zedekiah (Seder Olam Zuta) Sudeas (Josephus)
21. Azariah (II Chronicles 16:17)
22. Jotham (Seder Olam Zuta and Josephus)
23. Urijah - Served during the reign of King Ahaz (II Kings 11:10)
24. Azariah (II Chronicles 31:10)
25. Hoshaiah (Seder Olam Zuta) Odeas (Josephus)
26. Shallum (I Chronicles 6:12)
27. Hilkiah - Served during the reign of King Josiah (II Kings 22:4)
28. Azariah (I Chronicles 6:13)
29. Seraiah - Served during the reign of King Zedekiah (II Kings 25:18)
30. Jehozadak (I Chronicles 6:14)

Post-Exile to Herod
31. Joshua - Served during the reign of Governor Zerubbabel (Haggai 1:1)
32. Joiakim (Nehemiah 12:10)
33. Eliashib (Nehemiah 3:1)
34. Joiada - Removed from the Temple by Nehemiah (Nehemiah 12:10, 22)
35. Johanan (Nehemiah 12:22)
36. Jaddua (Nehemiah 12:22)
37. Onias I (Josephus)
38. Simon I (Sirach 4,1)
39. Eleazar (Josephus)
40. Manasseh (Josephus)
41. Onias II (Josephus)
42. Simon II (Josephus)
43. Onias (I Maccabees 12:7) or Onias III (Josephus)
44. Jason (II Maccabees 4:7) or Joshua (Josephus)
45. Menelaus (II Maccabees 4:27) or Onias IV called Menelaus (Josephus)
46. Alcimus (I Maccabees 7:5 and Josephus)
47. Jonathan (I Maccabees 9:28 and Josephus)
48. Simeon the Prince (I Maccabees 14:46) or Simon (Josephus)
49. John (I Maccabees 16:23) or John Hyrcanus (Josephus)
50. Aristobulus I (Josephus)
51. Alexander Jannaeus (Josephus)
52. John Hyrcanus II (Josephus)
53. Aristobulus II (Josephus)
54. John Hyrcanus II (restored) (Josephus)
55. Antigone (Josephus)
56. Hananeel (Josephus)

Under Herodian and Roman Rule
56. Hananeel - Served during the reign of King Herod (Josephus)
57. Aristobulus III - Served during the reign of King Herod for one year until he was murdered (Josephus)
     Hananeel (reappointed) - Served during the reign of King Herod (Josephus)
58. Joshua, son of Phabet - Served during the reign of King Herod (Josephus)
59. Simon, son of Boethus - Served during the reign of King Herod (Josephus)
60. Mattathias, son of Theophilus - Served during the reign of King Herod (Josephus)
     Joseph, son of Ellem (served one day) - Served during the reign of King Herod (Josephus)
61. Joazar, son of Boethus - Served during the reign of King Herod (Josephus)
62. Eleazar, son of Boethus - Served during the reign of King Archelaus (Josephus)
63. Joshua, son of Sie - Served during the reign of King Archelaus (Josephus)
     Joazar, song of Boethus (reappointed) - Served during the reign of King Archelaus (Josephus)
64. Ananus, son of Seth - Served during the reign of King Quirinius (Josephus)
65. Ishmael, son of Phabi - Served during the reign of King Valorius Gratus (Josephus)
66. Eleazar, son of Ananus - Served during the reign of King Valorius Gratus (Josephus)
67. Simon, son of Camithus - Served during the reign of King Valorius Gratus (Josephus)
68. Joseph (Caiaphas) - Served during the reign of King Valorius Gratus (Josephus)
69. Jonathan, son of Ananus - Served during the reign of King Vitellius (Josephus)
70. Theophilus, son of Ananus - Served during the reign of King Vitellius (Josephus)
71. Simon (Cantatheras), son of Boethus - Served during the reign of King Agrippa I (Josephus)
72. Matthias, son of Ananus - Served during the reign of King Agrippa I (Josephus)
73. Aljoneus, son of Cantatheras - Served during the reign of King Agrippa I (Josephus)
74. Joseph, son of Cainus - Served during the reign of King Herod II (Josephus)
75. Ananias, son of Nebedeus - Served during the reign of King Herod II (Josephus)
     Jonathan (restored) - Served during the reign of King Herod II (Josephus)
76. Ishmael, son of Fabi - Served during the reign of King Agrippa II (Josephus)
77. Joseph Cabi, son of Simon - Served during the reign of King Agrippa II (Josephus)
78. Ananus, son of Ananus - Served during the reign of King Agrippa II (Josephus)
79. Joshua, son of Damneus - Served during the reign of King Agrippa II (Josephus)
80. Joshua, son of Gamaliel - Served during the reign of King Agrippa II (Josephus)
81. Mattathias, son of Theophilus - Served during the reign of King Agrippa II (Josephus)
82. Phinehas, son of Samuel (appointed by the people during the war) - Served during the reign of King Agrippa II (Josephus)

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Jewish Judges
Joshua (Exodus 14,17,24,32,33; Numbers 13-14,26,27; Deuteronomy 1,3; Book of Joshua)
Othniel (Joshua 15; Judges 1,3)
Ehud (Judges 3)
Shamgar (Judges 3)
Deborah (Judges 4-5)
Barak (Judges 4)
Gideon (Judges 6-8)
Tola (Judges 10)
Jair (Judges 10)
Jephthah (Judges 10-12; I Samuel 12)
Ibzan (Judges 12)
Elon (Judges 12)
Abdon (Judges 12)
Samson (Judges 13-16)
Samuel (Books of Samuel)
Eli (I Samuel 1-4,14; I Kings 2)

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Jewish Monarchy
Kings of Israel
David ben Jesse (Book of Psalms; Ruth 4; I Samuel 16-30; II Samuel 1-9,11-12,14-16,18-24; I Kings 1-2; I Chronicles 2-3,11,13-23,28-29)
Ish-Bosheth ben Saul (II Samuel 2-4)
Saul ben Kish (I Samuel 9-11,13-16,18-19,20,22,24,26,28,31; II Samuel 1,21; I Chronicles 8-10)
Solomon ben David (Book of Song of Songs; Psalms 72,127; II Samuel 12; I Kings 1-11; II Kings 2; I Chronicles 3,17,23,28-29; II Chronicles 1-3,6-9,22)

Kings of Judah
Abijam ben Rehoboam (I Kings 14-15; II Chronicles 12-13)
Ahaz ben Jotham (II Kings 15-16; Isaiah 1,7,14; Hosea 1; Micah 1; II Chronicles 27-28)
Ahaziah ben Jehoram (II Kings 8-10; II Chronicles 22)
Amaziah ben Jehoash (II Kings 12-14; II Chronicles 24-26)
Amon ben Manasseh (II Kings 21; II Chronicles 33)
Asa ben Abijam (I Kings 15; II Chronicles 13-16)
Athaliah mother of Ahaziah (II Kings 8,11; II Chronicles 22-23)
Hezekiah ben Ahaz (I Samuel 17; II Kings 16,18-20; Isaiah 1,36-39; Hosea 1; Micah 1; II Chronicles 28-32)
Jehoahaz ben Josiah (II Kings 13,22; II Chronicles 36)
Jehoash ben Ahaziah (II Kings 12)
Jehoiachin ben Jehoiakim (II Kings 24-25; Jeremiah 52; Ezekiel 1; II Chronicles 36)
Jehoiakim ben Josiah (Jeremiah 1,25-26,36,46)
Jehoram ben Jehoshaphat (II Kings, 3,8,22; II Chronicles 17,21)
Jehoshaphat ben Asa (I Kings 15,22; II Kings 3; II Chronicles 17-21)
Josiah ben Amon (I Kings 13; II Kings 21-23; Jeremiah 1; Zephaniah 1; I Chronicles 3; II Chronicles 33-35)
Jotham ben Uzziah (II Kings 15; Isaiah 1; Hosea 1; Micah 1; II Chronicles 26-27)
Manasseh ben Hezekiah (II Kings 21; II Crhonicles 32-33)
Rehoboam ben Solomon (I Kings 11-12,14; II Chronicles 9-12)
Uzziah ben Amaziah (II Kings 15; Isaiah 7; Hosea 1; Amos 1; II Chronicles 26)
Zedekiah ben Josiah (II Kings 24-25; Jeremiah 1,21,34,38-39,52; II Chronicles 36)

Kings of Israel (10 Tribes)
Ahab ben Omri (I Kings 16-18,20-22; II Kings 1,10; II Chronicles 18,21)
Ahaziah ben Ahab (I Kings 22; II Kings 1; II Chronicles 20)
Baasha ben Ahijah (I Kings 15-16; II Chronicles 16)
Elah ben Baasa (I Kings 16)
Hoshea ben Elah (II Kings 15,17)
Jehoahaz ben Jehu (II Kings 10)
Jehoash ben Jehoahaz (II Kings 12)
Jehoram ben Ahab (II Kings 1,3,8-9)
Jehu ben Jehoshaphat ben Nimishi (I kings 19; II kings 9-10; II Chronicles 22)
Jeroboam ben Jehoash (II Kings 14)
Jeroboam ben Nebat (I kings 11-15; Amos 1; II Chronicles 10-11,13,18)
Menahem ben Gadi (II Kings 15)
Nadar ben Jeroboam ()
Omri (I Kings 16)
Pekah ben Remaliah (II Kings 15-16; Isaiah 7)
Pekahiah ben Menahem (II Kings 15)
Shallum ben Jabesh (II Kings 15)
Tivni ()
Zechariah ben Jeroboam (II Kings 14)
Zimri (I Kings 16)

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Babylonian Exile

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Ancient Jewish Sects
The Essenes were an aesthetic and mystical Jewish sect that followed strict rules. They lived in small groups, isolated from the rest of the Jewish world. Scholars believe that the Dead Sea Scrolls were written by this isolationist sect. Some scholars also believe that John the Baptist may have been an Essene and early Christianity was influenced by this sect. The Essenes did not survive after the destruction of the Temple in 70CE. It is believed they had been killed by the Romans.

The Tzedukim (Sadducees) were the priests and elite of the Jews and grew out of the Hellenist ideas of the time. They believed in a strict interpretation of the Written Torah but they did not believe in the Oral Torah (Mishnah). They were religiously conservative and the Temple and its sacrifices were the center of their worship. However, they were socially liberal, taking on the ways of the neighboring Greek culture. The Tzedukim could not survive after the destruction of the Temple in 70CE.

The Pharisees believed that both the Written Torah and Oral Torah were given to Moses directly from G-d. They believed that both the Written and Oral Torah were binding upon all Jews and could be reinterpreted by the rabbis. They were devoted to the study of Torah and the education of all Jews in Torah. The Pharisees were the only sect to survive the destruction of the Temple in 70CE and have become known as "Rabbinic Judaism".

The Zealots were a Jewish sect that was mainly nationalistic and favored war against Rome. They favored death to living under Roman rule and would commit suicide rather than be captured by the Romans (the most famous example are the Zealots who committed murder/suicide at Masada). The Zealots were killed of in the war with Rome.

During the 1st century CE, a sect known as the Nazarenes came into existence. This sect were the early followers of Jesus. They were later led by John the Baptist and James the Just and incorporated non-Jews into the sect. When Christianity became more uniform in the 3rd and 4th century, the Nazarenes completely split with Judaism and became modern Christianity.

During the 1st century CE, a sect known as the Ebionites came into existence. This sect were the early followers of Jesus. They were later led by John the Baptist and James the Just and incorporated non-Jews into the sect. When Christianity became more uniform in the 3rd and 4th century, the Ebionites completely split with the Nazarenes and remained a non-trinitarian sect.

During the 9th century CE, a new sect, the Karaites came into existence. They believed in a strict interpretation of the Written Torah and reject the Oral Torah as a work of the sages. They follow different customs and calendar than Rabbinic Judaism. Most scholars do not consider Karaites to be a sect of Judaism and they are not considered Jews.

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Biblical Archaeology
Biblical archaeology involves the recovery and scientific investigation of the material remains of past cultures that can illuminate the periods and descriptions in the Bible. As with the historical records from any other civilization, the manuscripts must be compared to other accounts from contemporary societies in Europe, Mesopotamia, and Africa; additionally, records from neighbors must be compared with them. The scientific techniques employed are those of archaeology in general including excavations as well as chance discoveries.^1
1 Wikpedia: Biblical Archaeology

Highlights:
Late 1860's
Excavation of Jerusalem that led to the discovery of the foundation stones of Herod's Temple, the first Israelite inscriptions on several jar handles, and water shafts under Jerusalem

1890-1899
Excavation of Tell el-Hesi (probably Gath) - 1890
Excavation of 4 major sites in the Shephelah region of Israel: - 1898-1900
YTell es-Safi (probably Biblical Gath)
YTell Zakariya (probably Biblical Azekah)
YTell ej-Judeideh (possibly Biblical Moresheth-Gath or Libnah)
YTell Sandahannah (probably Biblical Mareshah)

1900-1919
Excavation of Gezer, where the oldest Hebrew inscription (Gezer Calendar) was found on the surface - 1902-03, 1907-09
Excavation of Taanach - 1902-04
Excavation of Megiddo - 1903-05
Excavation of ancient synagogues in Galilee - 1905-07
Excavation of Shechem - 1907-09
Excavation of Samaria - 1908, 1910-11
Excavation of Beth Shemesh - 1911-13

1920-1939
Excavation of Beth Shean - 1921-23, 1925-28, 1930-33
Excavation of Tell el-Ful (probably Biblical Gibeah) - 1922-23
Excavation of Megiddo - 1925-39
Excavation of Tell Beit Mirsim (possibly Eglon or Debir-Kirjath Sepher) - 1926, 1928, 1930, 1932
Excavation of Mizpah - 1926-7, 1929, 1932, 1935
Excavation of Beth Shemesh - 1928-33
Excavation of Jericho - 1930-36
Excavation of Samaria - 1931-3, 1935
Excavation of Lachish - 1932-38
Excavation of Beth Shearim - 1936-40

1940-1959
Founding of the Dead Sea Scrolls - 1947
Excavation of Jaffa - 1948-50, 1952-55
Excavation of Ramat Rahel - 1954, 1959-62
Excavation of Hazor - 1955-58, 1968
Excavation of Gibeon - 1956-57, 1959-60, 1962

1960-1979
Excavation of Jerusalem - 1961-67
Excavation of Arad - 1962-67
Excavation of Ashdod - 1962-23, 1965-72
Excavation of Masada - 1963-65
Excavation of Gezer - 1964-74
Excavation of Jerusalem (southwest corner of the Temple Mount) - 1968-78
Excavation of Beersheba - 1969-76
Excavation of Jerusalem (Jewish Quarter) - 1969-82
Excavation of Lachish - 1973-94
Excavation of Aroer - 1975-82
Excavation of Timnah - 1977-79, 1981-9
Excavation of Jerusalem - 1978-85
Excavation of Ketef Hinnom where two small silver scrolls containing Biblical texts older than the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered - 1979-80
Excavation of Khirbet Nisya - 1979, 1981-2, 1984-87, 1990-91, 1993-2000

1980-1999
Excavation of Ekron - 1981-82, 1984-88, 1990, 1992-96
Excavation of Tell es-Safi (probably Biblical Gath) - 1996-2002, 2004-2005
Excavation of Tel Zayit (Zeitah) - 1999-2001, 2005

2000-2009
Excavation of Ramat Rahel - 2005
Excavation of Nahal Tut - 2005
Excavation of Jerusalem where the remains of King David's palace were possibly found - 2005
Excavation of Kafr Kana (Arab village north of Nazareth, in the Galilee) where an ancient Jewish town from the time of King Solomon have been uncovered beneath it - 2006
Excavation of Temple aqueduct and mikveh opposite the Temple Mount [article] - 2006
Joshua's altar found [article] - 2006
Second Temple Jewish town uncovered in Jerusalem [article] - 2007
Herod's Grave Uncovered [article] - 2007
First Temple Building Remains found in Jerusalem [article] - 2008
Clay stamps used to seal messages are found in Jerusalem [article] - 2008
Second Temple coin found in Jerusalem [article] - 2008
Three 9,000-Year-Old Skulls Found in Galilee [article] - 2008
First Temple seal found in Jerusalem [article] - 2008
2nd Temple-Era Wall Found on Mt. Zion [article] - 2008
Efforts to Rebuild Joseph's Tomb [article] - 2008
Tenth Century Inscription found in Shephelah [article] - 2008
Grave Fragment Found: Son of Second Temple High Priest [article] - 2008
King Solomon’s Copper Mines Discovered [article] - 2008
Hebrew Seal from the First Temple Period Discovered [article] - 2008
First Temple-Era Water Tunnel Revealed in Jerusalem [article] - 2008
Oldest Hebrew Text Discovered at King David's Border Fortress [article] - 2008
2,000-yr-old Earring Found in Jerusalem [article] - 2008
Byzantine Mosaic Floor Found Underneath the Aksa Mosque [article] - 2008
King Herod’s VIP Room for Theatergoers Discovered [article] - 2008
1,500 Year Old Bathhouse was Exposed in Zikhron Ya‘aqov [article] - 2008
Remains of Second Temple Era Jewish Town Revealed [article] - 2008
Rare Coin from Hasmonean Rebellion Found in Temple Mount Rubble [article] - 2008
Dream Come True: Buried Treasure Found Outside Temple Mount [article] - 2008
Leading Israeli Scientist Declares Pomegranate Inscription Authentic [article] - 2008
Found: Ancient Capital of 'Jewish' Khazar Kingdom [article] - 2008
Ivory pomegranate found in City of David excavations [article] - 2009
Ancient Marble Figurine of a Roman Boxer Found in City Of David [article] - 2009
Remains of Antonia Fortress [article] - 2009
Tel Aviv University researcher reconstructs ancient Israelite faces [article] - 2009
Maccabee-Era Relics Found Near Jerusalem Shed Light On Ancient Jewish Warriors [article] - 2009
Heliodoros Stele Discovered [article] - 2009
Royal Seal Impressions were Discovered in Excavations of the Israel Antiquities Authority at Umm Tuba [article] - 2009
Desert Secret Cracked: Ancient Hunting Techniques Revealed [article] - 2009
Byzantine Era Church Discovered Near Bet Shemesh [article] - 2009
A Byzantine Bathhouse was Uncovered Close to Kibbutz Gevim [article] - 2009
Mosaic Floors Restored and Renovated [article] - 2009
Pier from the Hellenistic Period was Discovered in Akko [article] - 2009
Exceptional Archaeological "Foot" Discovery in Jordan Valley [article] - 2009
Was a "Mistress of the Lionesses" a King in Ancient Canaan [article] - 2009
Fragment of a Hebrew Inscription from the Period of the Kings of Judah was Found [article] - 2009
Inauguration of the National Project to Conserve the Stones in the Western Wall and the Establishment of the Israel Antiquities Authority Conservation Department [article] - 2009
Archaeologists Say Woman May Have Ruled Ancient Canaan [article] - 2009
Ancient Jews Used Skulls in Ceremonies Despire Bans [article] - 2009
Iraq Launches Project to Renovate Ezekiel's Shrine [article] - 2009
Roman-Era Catacombs Unearthed Near Bethlehem University [article] - 2009
Fragment of Hebrew Inscription From Period of Kings of Judah Found [article] - 2009
Stolen 2,000 Year-Old Hebrew Papyrus Recovered [article] - 2009
Babylon Ruins Reopen in Iraq to Controversy [article] - 2009
Ancient First Temple Artifacts Uncovered in Jerusalem [article] - 2009
Israel's Atlantis [article] - 2009
The Museum of the Good Samaritan Opens to the Public [article] - 2009
Ancient Stone Returns to Jerusalem [article] - 2009
Lod Mosaic Re-exposed [article] - 2009
Huge Roman Era Cave Found by Jericho [article] - 2009
Intact Ancient Tomb Uncovered in Bethlehem [article] - 2009
Israeli Archeologists Unearth Herod’s Quarry [article] - 2009
Extraordinary Finds at the Mt Zion Excavation [article] - 2009
Antiquity Thieves Return Ancient Items to Israel [article] - 2009
Stone Vessel with 'Priestly Inscription' Uncovered In Jerusalem [ancient] - 2009
Israel Antiquities Authority to register antiquities collections held by the general public in Israel [article] - 2009
Thirteen burial sites, temples and personal items dating to the Canaanite period in Sidon [article] - 2009
Remains from period of King Hezekiah discovered [article] - 2009
World Archaeological Conference excludes Israel [article] - 2009
Synagogue found at Lycian site [article] - 2009
Aphrodite figurines found in Golan Heights [article] - 2009
Miniature carving of Alexander the Great found at Tel Dor [article] - 2009
Roman building exposed in the City of David [article] - 2009
Carved stone plaque bearing archaic Egyptian signs found at Tel Bet Yerah [article] - 2009
Fragment of the Codex Sinaticus found in Egypt [article] - 2009
A Jerusalem walkway from the times of Abraham has been discovered [article] - 2009 new
The largest-ever known number of coins from the time of Bar-Kochba has been discovered [article] - 2009 new
Bible-era mystery vessel found [article] - 2009 new
Second Temple era synagogue discovered a few miles north of Tiberias [article] - 2009 new
Earliest known depiction of a Second Temple lamp uncovered [article] - 2009 new
Street connecting the Temple Mount with the Pool of Siloam discovered [article] - 2009 new
2000-year-old Roman amphitheatre discovered near Tiberias [article] - 2009 new
Building at Khirbet Omrit is being excavated in a belief that it may be Herod's temple built for Emperor Augustus [article] - 2009 new
2,000-year-old mikveh discovered near the Western Wall [article] - 2009 new
Joseph-Era coins found in Egypt [article] - 2009 new
Cyrus the Great palace faces total destruction [article] - 2009 new
"Hall of Ages" uncovered in Western Wall tunnel [article] - 2009 new
Israel is planning a major archaeological dig under the Western Wall plaza [article] - 2009 new
Beit Shearim menorah caves restored [article] - 2009 new
Babylonian seal in Egypt confirms contact between the Babylonians and the Hyksos [article] - 2009 new
350 rare pieces of marble uncovered near Akko [article] - 2009 new
Remains of Minoan-style painting discovered [article] - 2009 new
Digital map reveals Israeli archaeology [article] - 2009 new
First map of contested sites in the Middle East published [article] - 2009 new
Physical proof that the Hasmoneans' rule extended deep into the Negev discovered [article] - 2009 new
Reconstituted stele yielded a text from the king dated 178 BCE - 11 years before the Maccabean Revolt [article] - 2009 new
Second Temple building exposed in Nazareth [article] - 2009 new

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