A brief analysis of Jewish life during the Babylonian exile and its consequences for Judaism

Abstract

The experience of the Babylonian captivity between the 6th and 5th centuries BCE was a traumatic reality for the Jewish people, but at the same time it was also an opportunity in which institutions were established with the purpose of creating a pure Judaism. The reality experienced under Babylonian rule allowed for a less traumatic allocation compared to the Egyptian captivity, since they were housed in communities, possessed fertile lands, and some institutions were preserved. These factors allowed for the development of elements that could offer hope for the maintenance and reconstruction of Judaism and its symbols. As a consequence of this reality, coupled with intense prophetic activity during the period, there was a strong return to the Mosaic (Sinaitic) covenant. As a result of this conjunction, some elements stemming from the experience of exile allowed for the development and strengthening of some institutions that enabled the preservation and expansion of Judaism. Some authors propose that the institutions that emerged from this period were, in order of importance: Synagogues, Sanhedrin (strengthening of the council of elders), Pharisaism, establishment of the Hebrew Canon, and the intense study of the Law of Moses. The objective of this article is, through a qualitative bibliographic review, to analyze the daily life of the Jewish people during the Babylonian captivity and to understand the emergence of institutions such as the Synagogue, the Sanhedrin, Pharisaism, and their contributions to the strengthening of a pure, monotheistic Judaism established and grounded in the study of the Law of Moses. The contribution of the prophetic ministry of Ezekiel and Ezra to the strengthening of the people and the creation of the aforementioned institutions will also be studied.