Babylonian Exile

The Babylonian Exile, occurring between 586 and 538 BCE, was a pivotal event in Jewish history when the Babylonians conquered the Kingdom of Judah, destroyed Jerusalem, and forced many Israelites into captivity in Babylon. This period profoundly impacted Jewish identity, religious practices, and community cohesion. It prompted the compilation of religious texts and the development of new interpretations of faith, as the exiled Jews sought to maintain their traditions in a foreign land. The exile ended when the Persian Empire defeated Babylon, allowing many Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.