Tradition dates the Exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Torah at Sinai to this period; the event is the founding act of Israel's covenant and law. Scholarly debate continues over its date, scale, and historical character.
Tagged: Conservative Judaism Jewish Orthodox Judaism Reconstructionist Judaism Reform Judaism Secular Judaism
The Event
- Date
- c. 13th century BCE (disputed)
- Era
- Biblical; Standard periodization of Jewish history
- Location
- Egypt and Sinai
- Traditions
- Judaism
- Streams
- Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism, Reconstructionist Judaism, Secular Judaism
- Key figures
- Moses
- Key texts
- Exodus, Deuteronomy
Primary Sources
- Exodus 1-20
Secondary Sources
- Goodman, A History of Judaism (Princeton, 2018)
- Schiffman, From Text to Tradition: A History of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism (Ktav, 1991)
Provenance: HIST-0102; confidence 0.7; accessed 2026-10-27.
Related on This Site
- Cyrus' Edict of Return History Event
- David's Reign History Event
- Destruction of the First Temple History Event
- Fall of Samaria; the Northern Kingdom Destroyed History Event
- First Temple Dedicated History Event
- Maccabean Revolt History Event
- Patriarchal Period History Event
- Second Temple Completed History Event