Introduction
Abraham
The history of the Jewish people begins in Bronze Age times in the Middle East when God promised a nomad leader called Abram that he would be the father of a great people if he did as God told him.
Jews regard Abraham (as he was later called) as the first Patriarch of the Jewish people.
Abraham was the first person to teach the idea that there was only one God; before then, people believed in many gods.
Ironically, Abraham's father, Terach, had made his living selling idols of various gods.
Other faith note
Abraham is a significant character in other religions - not only Christianity but Islam too.
Muslims know Abraham as Ibrahim, and regard his as an important prophet of their faith. Ibrahim's first son Ishmael, known as Isma'il, is regarded as the father of the Arab people.