aug 25, 597 BC - Babylonian captivity

Description:

The Babylonian captivity had a big effect on Jewish people’s beliefs. During their time still in their homeland a huge part of their life was the Temple of Jerusalem. However when the Babylonians came to take over Jerusalem they destroyed the temple completely. It is also said that while in Jerusalem the Jews practiced a Polytheistic religion and after the captivity a monotheistic one. King Jehoiachin was deposed and apparently sent into exile with his family, his court, and thousands of workers. Others say the first deportation followed the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadrezzar in 586 If so, the Jews were held in Babylonian captivity for 48 years. Among those who accept a tradition that the exile lasted 70 years, some choose the dates 608 to 538, others 586 to about 516. Although the Jews suffered greatly and faced powerful cultural pressures in a foreign land, they maintained their national spirit and religious identity. Elders supervised the Jewish communities, and Ezekiel was one of several prophets who kept alive the hope of one day returning home. This was possibly also the period when synagogues were first established, for the Jews observed the Sabbath and religious holidays, practiced circumcision, and substituted prayers for former ritual sacrifices in the Temple.