what do you think makes the history of the Jews distinct?

Answer 1

The Jew's adoption of business and personal rules and regulations that when they were adopted created an identity as a people, the fact that they extended the protection of these laws to strangers who lived among them, seemed to be unique among ancient people. In ancient times it was a religion that focused on altruism. Also the adoption of laws and teachings of justice, helped civilization to be able to develop as people came to expect certainty provided by the laws. This and the ability to proselytize others, not by force, but by persuasion, was a unique feature of Judaism.