Chronology of settlement in Eretz Yisrael from destruction of 1st Temple

Date
586 BCE

Place
Jerusalem

582
538

516?approx

Jerusalem
Babylon( now
Persian empire)
Babylon
Aliyah of Zerubabbel; many
remain in exile- large community
there
Jerusalem
Dedication of 2nd Temple

457?466?
445?453?
440?

Babylon
Babylon
Jerusalem

Aliyah of Ezra ; many remain

Aliyah of Nehemia;
Public reading of Torah
Consecration of city wall
Contract

400-165

Judaea

Ruled by Persia ,Greece

165 BCE 70 CE

Judaea

0-70 CE

Jerusalem &
Judaeah

Hasmonean revolt resulting in

autonomy, under Greece and then
Rome
Struggle between Cohanim and
Hahamim

70 CE
70 -135

Jerusalem
Yavne

Destruction of 2nd Temple

Development of Batei Midrash

135-132

Judaea

132- 220 ?

Galilee

approx. 220
220-427

Galilee

Bar Kokhba revolt ,Rome

victorious; banishment from
Judaea
Batei Midrash Tiberias, Zippori Bet
Shearim
Compilation of Mishna
7 Nesiim ; many Batei Midrash;

427 until Arab

conquest 7th
century

Galilee, Golan,
south of
Hevron region

520

Event
Destruction of 1st Temple &
Exile of most of population
745 people exiled
Cyrus declaration + 1st Aliya

People involved
Babylonian Army;
pop. of Yehuda
Remnant of Judah
Sheshbazar and
Temple vessels
Members of tribes of
Judah, Benjamin
and Cohanim
Zerubabbel +
returnees
As Above
Nehemia alone
Ezra, Nehemia and
Inhabitants( approx..
43,500 returnees in 3
waves)
Knesset Hagedola,
Zugot
Hasmonean dynasty

Institute of Nesiim
(religious leaders)
Shimon, Gamliel,&
sons
Roman army
Raban Gamliel and
sages.
Bar Kochba, R. Akiva
+ fighters
Hachamim ,then
Rabi Yehuda Hanasi)
Rabi Yohanan and
others
Evidence of
synagogues

Byzantine empire abolishes

Nesiut; community left with no
formal leadership. Final editing of
Jerusalem Talmud c.450
Note date in bold - critical in development of Babylonian centres of learning. Mention
motivation behind Rebis enterprise foresaw dispersion of Jewish people, impetus to dvpt
learning in Golah and gradual decline of Israel as centre.
Historical background , then examples of discussions.

Yirmiyahu ch. 29 v.4-8, 10. (to develop community in Babylon); ch.30 v.3. After Cyrus
Declaration Ezra 1;3-4. Proof that community was comfortable enough to donate and support
returnees.
Community in Babylon established from time of first Exile, and later flourished economically
and spiritually until 10th century.( close to 1000 years) Many Persian rulers tolerant of diff.
ethnic groups, religious autonomy, economic prosperity, led to dvpt of imp. centres of Torah in
Sura, Pumpedita and Nehardea , beginning from 220 CE (after final compilation of Mishna.)
Scholars (Rav and Shmuel ) who studied in Israel under Rebi built up Yeshivot in Babylon.
These centres constituted the continuation of communities where the descendents of the
first Exiles had fulfilled the first prophecy of Yirmiyahu (above). The community which they
headed was both numerous (estimates of its number vary from 800,000 to 1,200,000) and
well-based economically, comprising a fair number of farmers and many traders who grew rich
as intermediaries in the profitable silk trade between China and the Roman Empire passing
through Babylonia.
The Jews enjoyed not only freedom of worship, autonomous jurisdiction, but even the right to
have their own markets and appoint market supervisors (agoranomoi).

Situation in Israel gradually deteriorated after Byzantine (Christian) rule took over; also Jewish
settlement limited to Galillee and S. Hevron region. After completion of J. Talmud( approx. 450
CE) lack of written documentation of Jewish communities in Eretz Yisrael, while wealth of arch.
evidence found (give exs)

Look at Mishna Ketubot 13 ; 11( Mishna compiled in eretz Yisrael .)Start with sources
[A man] may force everyone [in his household] to go up [with him] to the land of Israel [even
from a superior dwelling] but no one may be forced to leave it. All [one's household] may be
forced to go up to Jerusalem [even from a superior dwelling], but no one may be forced to
leave it. [This applies to] both men [i.e., his wife may either force him to move with her to Israel
or to divorce her and give her, her ketubah] and women [i.e., he may force his wife to move
with him or give her a divorce without having to pay for her ketubah].
(If a man married a woman in the land of Israel and divorced her in the land of Israel, he must
pay her [her ketubah] in the currency of the land of Israel. If he married a woman in the land of
Israel and divorced her in Cappadocia, he may pay her [ketubah] in the currency of the land of
Israel [even though the coinage of the land of Cappadocia was heavier and larger than that of
Israel]. If he married a woman in Cappadocia and divorced her in the land of Israel he may pay
[her ketubah] in the currency of the land of Israel. (Note emphasis on land of Israel).)
" ' "
"....... "
How do the sages relate to the instruction in this Mishna while living and studying in the
Golah?

Conflict between two communities a) appointing Rabbinic leaders b) fixing the calendar.
Attempts to change a) early in 2nd century failed. After 200 CE important scholars who went to
" known by a select few in " )Babylon were able to exert their authority. Regarding b
Israel, maintained until Hillel II made calendar public (middle 4th century).
Sages in Babylon Yeshivot discussed the Mishna they brought from Israel (Rabi in Zippori) and
these discussions are detailed in the Babylonian Talmud , finally co-ordinated around 550 CE. ).
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As situation in Israel deteriorated, Babylons importance increased. Once Nesiut abolished
here, hegemony de facto transferred to B. and religious leadership of sages and Gaonim was
accepted by Jewish communities elsewhere.
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Some examples of conflicting opinions.
Relate to Rav Yehuda and Rabi Zera ; (around 300 CE), Z. went to E.Y. against ruling of Y. who
claimed it was a transgression to go from Babylon to E.Y. quote Jeremiah 27. Expl. context.
Quote Shir Hashirim 2 I made you swear. Ref. to 3 vows. (cont. of Ketubot
" arguments for and against ; justification for staying in Galut.
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Gemara states that when R. Zera came to Israel he took on 100 fast days in order to forget what he had
thought in Babylon ( that Aliyah as a group was forbidden). Can we find parallel to attitudes in Europe in
1930s?
' , - ?

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Tension between importance of Torah study in environment conducive to it, in contrast to deteriorating
conds in Israel.
Mention Taanit 11 instructions for travelers; diff. between motives for Babylon and Israel.
th

Mid 11 century end of Gaonic period, Jewish communities spread throughout North Africa, Southern and
Northern Europe and Middle & far East ; no central authority after Gaonim local or regional leaders,
(exs).
th

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Middle Ages Paris time of Rashi s grandson 11 -12 century (physical dangers and religious problems)
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Quote Rav Yoseph of Tirani -16th century Zefat, born in Israel.

Argues with opinion of Ranebu Haim (Tosefot)- saying:If someone wants to buy land in Israel he
can keep the Mitzvot : , , , - who will prevent him from doing so? The Mitzvot of
are relevant in the Golah as well conclusion whats the problem?
Economic difficulties and physical danger main reasons for reluctance of Jews to come here
throughout Middle Ages and until 19th century.
Modern period reflection of Babylonian period? Ultra orthodox relied on Talmudic statements
discussed above to justify lack of co-operation with Zionism. Religious reasons. Problems of
security similar or different from arguments given in earlier sources? Can we learn from all
this? Final point Jane "made her choice clearly chose Eretz Yisrael over modern Babylon.


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