Reading Biblical Literature: Genesis to Revelation Season 1 Episode 20 Jewish Identity and Rebuilding after Exile

Reading Biblical Literature: Genesis to Revelation season 1 episode 20 explores the concept of Jewish identity and the rebuilding of their community after a period of exile. The episode delves into the Book of Ezra and Nehemiah which describes the return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem in the wake of the Persian Empire's fall and the rebuilding of the Temple.

The episode begins with Professor Craig Koester providing an overview of the post-exilic period and the challenges faced by the returning Jews. He explains that the Babylonians had destroyed the Temple and exiled the Jewish people to Babylon. The Persian king, Cyrus, later allowed the Jews to return to their homeland, but they faced significant challenges in rebuilding their community. Koester explains that the Book of Ezra tells the story of the rebuilding of the Temple, while the Book of Nehemiah describes the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem.

The episode then examines Ezra's role in restoring Jewish identity. Koester explains that Ezra was a scribe who led the rebuilding of the Temple and also played a significant role in ensuring that Jewish identity was not lost during the exilic period. He championed the importance of studying and following the Torah, which helped to preserve Jewish identity.

The episode also explores the challenges faced by the returning Jews as they tried to rebuild their community. Professor Adele Reinhartz describes how the Jews faced resistance from local populations who did not want them to rebuild the Temple. Additionally, the Jews had to contend with internal divisions and conflicts over how to rebuild the Temple and how to reestablish their religious practices.

The episode then turns to the Book of Nehemiah, which describes the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem. Koester explains that Nehemiah worked as a cupbearer to the Persian king before returning to Jerusalem to lead the rebuilding effort. The episode examines the challenges Nehemiah faced in persuading the Jews to work together to rebuild the walls and his role in restoring the Jewish community's morale.

Finally, the episode explores the significance of the post-exilic period for Jewish identity. Koester argues that the exile led to a significant shift in Jewish identity, with a greater emphasis placed on the Torah and religious practices. He suggests that this emphasis on religious practice and identity helped to ensure the survival of the Jewish community in the centuries that followed.

Overall, Reading Biblical Literature: Genesis to Revelation season 1 episode 20 provides a detailed examination of the challenges faced by the returning Jews as they tried to rebuild their community after the Babylonian exile. The episode highlights the role of Ezra and Nehemiah in restoring Jewish identity and the significance of the post-exilic period for Jewish history and identity.