Second Temple (jan 1, 516 BC – jan 1, 70)

Description:

The Second Temple in Jerusalem was built over many years under the direction of Zerubavel, and subsequently assisted by Ezra (a member of the Great Assembly) and leader of the community of Jewish returnees from Babylon. According to halacha, this was the only legitimate place to offer Jewish sacrifices during this period.

Worship in the Second Temple was briefly disrupted by the Seleucid Greek Kingdom during the Greek Exile, but was restored by the Maccabees (leading to the holiday of Channukah).

The Second Temple was destroyed by the Roman Empire during the Judean Revolt against Roman rule.

During the Second Temple period, we have the first documented evidence of the Sanhedrin, the rabbinic supreme court, which met in the Temple precinct.

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