Jews, also known as Hebrews or Israelites, are among the world's oldest peoples. Their history, interwoven with religious, cultural, and social elements, spans thousands of years. This documentary delves into the entire history of the Jews, from their origins to the present day.
The origins of the Jewish people trace back to the discovery of the Merneptah Stele in 1896 by Sir William Flinders Petrie in Thebes, Egypt. This granite slab, inscribed with hieroglyphics, mentions "Israel," marking the earliest known reference to the Israelites, dating back to the reign of Pharaoh Merneptah (1213-1203 BCE). Despite the stele's claim that "Israel is laid waste—its seed is no more," the Israelites survived and established a significant heritage.

Contrary to the biblical account of the Israelites being enslaved in Egypt to build the pyramids, historical evidence suggests otherwise. The pyramids predate the Israelites' presence in history. The story of Moses, a Hebrew magician, aligns more with him leading the Israelites out of Egypt due to divine intervention by Yahweh, a warrior god. The plagues of Egypt, described in the Bible, were likely directed against Hebrews who had adopted Egyptian deities, evidenced by the worship of the Golden Calf, an idol of the Egyptian god Apis.

After Moses' death, Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River into Canaan, where they established their cities and the Temple in Jerusalem. This period saw the rise of judges, and later, kings like Saul, David, and Solomon, who solidified the Israelite kingdom. King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, built the First Temple, a significant religious center with its Holy of Holies.

Following Solomon's death, the kingdom split into Israel (north) and Judah (south). The northern kingdom fell to the Neo-Assyrian Empire in 722 BCE, and Judah to the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 586 BCE, leading to the Babylonian Captivity. During this exile, many Jewish texts were written, and the Hebrew alphabet was adopted.

After the Persian conquest of Babylon, Jews were allowed to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple, marking the Second Temple Period. This era, lasting until 70 CE, saw significant developments, including the compilation of the Torah and the rise of Hellenistic Judaism. Despite various rulers, from Persians to Greeks, Jews maintained their religious identity.

Under Roman rule, Jews faced persecution, leading to revolts like the First Jewish-Roman War. During this period, Jesus of Nazareth emerged, whose teachings and crucifixion profoundly impacted history. Gnostic texts suggest Jesus imparted esoteric knowledge, hinting at a deeper understanding of spirituality.

Following the Roman destruction of the Second Temple, Jews dispersed widely, leading to the Jewish Diaspora. Throughout the Middle Ages, Jews faced persecution, notably during the Crusades. However, Jewish communities also thrived, contributing to intellectual and spiritual life, particularly through Kabbalistic teachings. The Zohar, a key Kabbalistic text, explored the nature of God and the universe.

In 1492, the Alhambra Decree forced Jews to convert to Christianity or leave Spain, leading to widespread crypto-Judaism, where Jews secretly practiced their faith. Prominent figures like Maimonides encouraged secret adherence to Judaism, legitimizing crypto-Judaism and preserving Jewish traditions.
Throughout the early modern period, Jews in Europe faced discrimination and violence but also contributed significantly to commerce and intellectual life. Mass migrations to America in the 19th and early 20th centuries, driven by pogroms in Eastern Europe, established vibrant Jewish communities in the New World.

In the late 19th century, the Zionist movement, led by figures like Theodor Herzl, sought to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine. After World War I, British support, exemplified by the Balfour Declaration, paved the way for increased Jewish immigration to Palestine. Tensions with the Arab pop