Jewish Disaspora
Although the official Jewish state came to an end in 70 AD, the diaspora of the Jews began long before that. Under Assyrian rule of Israel, Jews were scattered all across the Middle East and Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar, leader of the Assyrians, however, had allowed the Jews to stay in a unified community in Babylon. It is here that elements of Judaism mixed with Zoroastrianism (arguably the worlds first ever monotheistic religion). In Babylon, Judaism started adopting elements such as an eschatology, concepts of good and bad, angels, and the day of judgement. Previous Judea thought did not have such elements. Therefore, a cultural fusion is seen thanks to Nebuchadnezzar.
Cyrus of Persia had allowed the Jews to return to what they believed to be their homeland of Jerusalem. Many choose to go, while many others chose to stay in their respective areas. This meant that many Jews whom chose to settle in Babylon or Egypt remained there. Even now, communities of Jews (some large and some small) can be found in such areas.
When the Jews did return to Jerusalem, in order to find some commonalities they looked toward the tosh to be their unifying force. Many Jews were coming back after an extremely long time from different environments after experiencing different cultural norms. The Torah was used as a method to break such cultural differences and unify the Jews. After Jerusalem became a Roman protectorate in 63 BCE, the Jews lived for a time in peace, however Jewish rebellions lead to an end to such peace and the eventual banishment of the Jews from Jerusalem.
Above is a visual image of how the Jews spread and scattered after their banishment from the Romans.
Cyrus of Persia had allowed the Jews to return to what they believed to be their homeland of Jerusalem. Many choose to go, while many others chose to stay in their respective areas. This meant that many Jews whom chose to settle in Babylon or Egypt remained there. Even now, communities of Jews (some large and some small) can be found in such areas.
When the Jews did return to Jerusalem, in order to find some commonalities they looked toward the tosh to be their unifying force. Many Jews were coming back after an extremely long time from different environments after experiencing different cultural norms. The Torah was used as a method to break such cultural differences and unify the Jews. After Jerusalem became a Roman protectorate in 63 BCE, the Jews lived for a time in peace, however Jewish rebellions lead to an end to such peace and the eventual banishment of the Jews from Jerusalem.
Above is a visual image of how the Jews spread and scattered after their banishment from the Romans.