It is very hard to explain the history of Judaism in a series brief articles. The main points will be told to understand what Judaism is and who the children of Israel are. It starts with Abraham. God started the first covenant with Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation. He also promised the land for Abraham and his descendants. This would be the land of Israel. Abraham passed this covenant down to his son Isaac, and Isaac passed it to his son Jacob. Jacob took this inheritance from his older brother Esau. Jacob then fathered 12 sons through 4 women. These are the sons of Israel (Jacob): Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, 2Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher. These are the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who went to Egypt: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob.
Read more