Jewish Migration

Jews trace their roots to the Middle East and particularly to the area known as Judea. The initial immigration of members of this tribe occurred during biblical times. However, in the annals of Jewish history, the most influential immigration occurred after the Judea region was occupied by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. In 588 BC, following the destruction of the Jewish temple and the destruction of the Judean Kingdom, the inhabitants were exiled to what is now Iraq. Unlike other exiles, they did not assimilate and developed a more abstract religion that emphasized abstract and holy texts rather than physical worship. In 539 BC, when the Kingdom of Babylon was conquered by the Persians, the Jews returned to Judea, rebuilt the second temple, and reestablished their place of worship, the second temple. Not all of the Jews returned and some remained in Babylon, establishing what was the first Jewish Diaspora. This was the result of Jewish exile or forced immigration out of their….