Artaxerxes I and the Jewish Community

Artaxerxes I was a king of Persia who ruled from 465 to 424 BCE. He played a significant role in Jewish history, particularly through his support in rebuilding Jerusalem. His reign allowed for the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon under leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah. Artaxerxes issued decrees that facilitated the reconstruction of the Jewish temple and city walls, which were vital to restoring Jewish identity and religious practices after years of exile. His policies helped establish a degree of autonomy for the Jewish community within the Persian Empire, fostering a renaissance of Jewish culture and religion.