Read the passage. Then answer the question that follows.

The journey to Canaan took 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Along the way, Moses went to Mount Sinai, where he spoke with God. God gave him the Ten Commandments, which were laws that the people should follow. When the people finally arrived in Canaan, they started rebuilding the city of Jerusalem and practicing their religion.

Based on this passage, what is one reason that the Exodus is important to Judaism?

A. The Israelites were freed from their cruel captors, the Egyptians. B. The Israelites decided where they would create their kingdom.

C. The Israelites received a set of moral laws that showed the people how to behave.

D. The Israelites named Moses their first king to unite them.

E. The Israelites enjoyed a time of prosperity without invaders attacking them.

Answer: C. The Israelites received a set of moral laws that showed the people how to behave.

Explanation: After leaving Egypt, the Israelites wandered through the desert for 40 years. Traveling through the desert was very hard, sometimes dramatic and on the brink of a fratricidal conflict. The Exodus from Egypt is of course an important event in the history of Israel, but during a journey through the desert before they arrived in Canaan, something that may have been more important happened. As they traveled to the promised land, Moses received the Ten Commandments, which formed the basis of Jewish belief, morals and ethics. In addition to the Ten Commandments, during their journey, Moses wrote a series of books on rules of behavior and moral life, embedded in the Old Testament, the foundation of Jewish faith, life and culture.

The promised earth itself, Canaan, has been through the tradition, since Abraham's time was known as the final destination.