How did Judaism spread to Israel?

Answer 1

Even those who claim that the Judaism evolved and developed are in agreement that Judaism had developed for the most part prior to creation of the Diaspora and the Spreading of the Religion. The real changes occurred after the Destruction of Temple in Jerusalem the first time in 586 BCE and were solidified after the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. By the mid 100s CE, Judaism was defined more or less by the laws and ideals it currently has. Judaism spread geographically within the next few centuries as Jews were exiled from their ancestral homeland.

The main change in the latter period was the ending of sacrifices and the rising of Rabbis to deal with all religious matters as opposed to being just scholars. However, this was settled soon after 70 CE.

Answer:

Judaism has evolved as circumstances have necessitated. Here are just a few examples:

1) After the end of prophecy (some 2350 years ago), the Tanakh was sealed by a special Sanhedrin (Rabbinical court). It was the same Sanhedrin which placed our prayers in their permanent form (see Talmud, Berakhot 33a).

2) Purim and Hanukkah were instituted after the relevant events.

3) Certain fasts were instituted in connection with the Destruction of the Temple.

4) After the Destruction, the laws of sacrifices were suspended.

5) When circumstances made it impossible, the New Moon was no longer proclaimed by testimony; rather, the fixed calendar was instituted (around 360 CE).

6) The Talmud was put in writing (around 500 CE) when it became too hard to be learned by heart.

7) There are seven formal Rabbinical commands. These are:

Saying the blessings over food (and on various occasions)

Washing one's hands before eating bread

Lighting the Hanukkah-menorah

The Eruv

Saying the Hallel prayer on certain occasions

Lighting the Sabbath candles

Reading the Megillat Esther on Purim.

In addition, there are many Rabbinical decrees, mostly from the Men of the Great Assembly (4th century BCE), as well as later enactments. The purpose of every one of these is to provide a "fence around the Torah," meaning to shore up something that can benefit from strengthening. An example: not handling electric appliances on the Sabbath, even if they are not connected to any electric socket.

Answer 2

1) As the Jewish communities spread and moved. This phenomenon was set in motion by the various expulsions and persecutions, which drove Jewish populations to settle in new places.
2) As non-Jews came in contact with Jews, there was a degree of influence upon them. Ancient writers speak of large numbers of people in the Mediterranean area who had taken on various Jewish practices. Most of these semi-converts eventually adopted Christianity.

3) As the new religion of Christianity spread, it taught those beliefs which it had adopted directly from Jewish sources, such as the prohibition of infanticide and human sacrifice.

See also:

The influence of Hebrew traditions on the Western world

Answer 3

For centuries, Judaism was the religion of the Hebrew people and there was no importance placed on converting people of other races. Jews of the Diaspora gradually inhabited areas such as Babylon and Alexandria (in Egypt), but these were descendants of the Hebrew people of Palestine. During the reign of the Macabbean kings, in the second century BCE, this changed. The conquest of Galilee led to widespread conversions from paganism to Judaism. During the same period, the Idumeans, who lived to the south of Judea, were conquered and also compelled to convert to Judaism.

We know that in the first century CE, Jewish missionaries travelled around the Middle East actively seeking converts. Because of the trauma of adult circumcision, it was easier to convert the pagan women and let them talk their menfolk around. In other cases, the missionaries carried out conversion on the basis that circumcision was not really essential, but were followed some time later by associates who demanded of the converts why they were not circumcised and then insisted on performing the procedure.

We know from the Koran that, by the time of the Prophet, some Arab tribes had converted en masse to Judaism. Also, the conversion of a Russian tribal leader similarly resulted in the entire tribe adopting Judaism. Personal relationships, such as marriage, resulted in conversions both from and to Judaism throughout the twentieth century. A substantial minority of Jewish weddings performed in Germany early in the twentieth century involved recent conversions.

Answer 4

Judaism started really developing in Israel. It did not have to spread there.