What are the basic events that led to the rise of judaism?
It depends on what you mean.
Abraham was, for all intents and purposes, the first Jew. It was he whom G-d contacted to live a life that was different from the other residents of the world, who served idols and did not recognize G-d as the sole Ruler of the world. His progeny, who lived according to his ways of serving G-d, formed the nucleus of what would become a distinct nation of people. Perhaps the covenant between G-d and Abraham can be described as a key event in the rise of Judaism.
The giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai was the full revelation of the will of G-d to the Jewish people as a people, which then serves as the basis for a life lived according to His Will. We usually refer to this lifestyle as “Judaism”, although it may be more accurately called “Torah” or “Torah observance”. Since this event is the central basis for all Jewish belief, it can also be counted amongst the items that led to the rise of Judaism.
On the other hand, there is a etymological problem. The term “Judaism” likely derives from the Hellenistic era, as a term that described the religious philosophy of the residents of Judea (in the Land of Israel). The term itself, being of Hellenistic philosophical origin, reflects a basic Western notion of the dualism between religion and society. However, the Torah does not recognize any division between religion and any other aspect of Jewish life. The Torah is an overarching and transcendent context for the Jewish people. Although, the religious expression of the Jewish people is called “Judaism”, it really does not fit into the neat, philosophical category devised by the Hellenists.
All subsequent codification of the Oral Tradition that was also given to the Jewish people at Sinai has contributed to the rise of Judaism by clarifying the body of Jewish law so that it can be accurately practiced by Jews.
On a mystical note, the Kabbalah states clearly that the Torah preceded the creation of the universe in the sense that it was the blueprint, so to speak, from which G-d built the universe. On this basis, it can be posited that the rise of Judaism is a fundamental element in G-d’s decision, as it were, to create the universe.
All the best,
Rabbi Tanchum Burton