Second Temple

The Second Temple refers to the Jewish holy temple that was built in Jerusalem after the Babylonian Exile, around 516 BCE, and stood until its destruction by the Romans in 70 CE. It replaced Solomon's First Temple and served as the center of Jewish worship and sacrifice. The Second Temple underwent significant renovations, particularly by King Herod in the 1st century BCE, expanding its structure and creating a more grand appearance. The temple was crucial for Jewish identity and religious practices, and its destruction marked a pivotal moment in Jewish history, leading to the development of Rabbinic Judaism.