Were the Jews ever slaves? (moral, Moses, exodus, bible)

Somkid · #1 05-11-2008, 06:37 PM

I have been doing some research about the Exodus from Egypt simply because a student asked the question "were the Jews ever salves in Egypt?" I personally never bought in to the "Exodus" but I assumed that there were slaves in Egypt of Jewish decent simply because Egypt had a few scrapes with them and they were know to take prisoners as slaves as did the Romans and even the Jews for that matter it was just a common practice in the day. Here are some web links I have been reading and I would like to know what you all think.

Secular Passover Haggadah

IF THE EXODUS DID NOT OCCUR, THERE IS NO JUDAISM

History of ancient Israel and Judah - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Scuba Pete · #2 05-11-2008, 06:46 PM

I have no problem believing that they were held as slaves.

Jaiket · #3 05-11-2008, 07:57 PM

Were the Jews in Egypt Jews yet?

Sola'lor · #4 05-11-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaiket

Were the Jews in Egypt Jews yet?

No, they did not have the Law of Moses yet.

Somkid · #5 05-11-2008, 08:07 PM

My question(s) is (are)

#1 were the Jews ever slaves?

Did Moses lead the Jews from Egypt?

lilithu · #6 05-11-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somkid

My question(s) is (are)

#1 were the Jews ever slaves?

Did Moses lead the Jews from Egypt?

As with almost all stories related in the Bible:

1. I don't see how you could ever definitively prove one way or the other whether it actually happened.

2. It doesn't matter.

Sola'lor · #7 05-11-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somkid

My question(s) is (are)

#1 were the Jews ever slaves?

I'm not sure.

Quote:

Did Moses lead the Jews from Egypt?

No. Moses lead the Isrealites out of Egypt.

Somkid · #8 05-11-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilithu

As with almost all stories related in the Bible:

1. I don't see how you could ever definitively prove one way or the other whether it actually happened.

2. It doesn't matter.

1. The Egyptians kept very good records and there is no mention of Jews being slaves so... is that proof?

2. From a historical prospective and I guess a religious prospective for some people, yes, it does matter. That is like saying Africans were slaves in the USA and other countries, does it matter? Yep, it does historically and other wise.

lilithu · #9 05-11-2008, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somkid

1. The Egyptians kept very good records and there is no mention of Jews being slaves so... is that proof?

What exactly are you looking for when you fail to find it? The word "Jews" in the records?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somkid

2. From a historical prospective and I guess a religious prospective for some people, yes, it does matter. That is like saying Africans were slaves in the USA and other countries, does it matter? Yep, it does historically and other wise.

No, it's not at all like asking whether it matters that some Africans were slaves. The bible is not a history text book.