Did Confucius know that Judaism existed?

I am writing a paper about Confucianism and it's context in the modern world and western culture. I was curious as to whether Confucius would have been aware of the existence of Judaism (more specifically as a distinct monotheistic religion) since it was the only Western religion around during his lifetime. Thanks.

I highly doubt they did. The Bible and it's stories take place in the north eastern part of Africa. Confucianism dates to 551?478 BCE. This time is about the time the Jews were in Babylonian captivity and when they left captivity and went back to Jerusalem. So I highly doubt he did.

The Assyrians and Babylonians in my opinion are the only people in the far east who I think knew the Jews existed as a people. Asia is very far from Africa and the location the Bible took place.

what is Judaism .... Hohhot the religion of ethnic Jew, a racial religion. not important religion in the history.

NO.

yes. not all Jews were held captive. a few were still wondering the earth spreading his MSG.

yes

Confucius knew that other beliefs existed.

Judaism had been around almost 3,000 years when Confcius was born, so he could have known Judaism existed. Whether he was influenced by Judaism is doubtful.

Differences: Judaism believes in One God, Confucius believed or allowed for in a number of them. Concepts of God are different.

Similarities:

1. Both are ethical systems
2. Both ascribe to the 'golden rule' as did the Greeks and Buddhists.

Reading the story of Confucius' life, it sounds as if he learned in the school of hard knocks by experience and suffering what not to do to others in order to minimize suffering. His just rule that honored human beings produced a very prosperous country, of which nearby rulers were jealous and sought to kill him.

The Catholic Church at one time tried to make Christianity and Confucianism similar. Matteo Ricci, a Jesuit priest, translated a number of Confuscius' works and intertwined Catholicism with Confuscism in the 1500's, so our understanding of Confuscius may hinge on this Jesuit's understanding of it, including the insertion of the golden rule (which was written by Hillel the Elder before Christianity).