Destruction of the First Temple
Who destroyed the first temple?
King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians
Who was Ezra?
A priest, scribe, and leader who helped restore Jewish law and religious practice.
Who was Nehemiah?
A Jewish leader and cupbearer to the Persian king.
In which year did the rebuilding of the Second Temple begin?
537 BCE
This Jewish festival celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple and is associated with the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.
Clue #1: It is sometimes called the Festival of Lights.
Clue #2: It is celebrated by lighting a menorah and lasts for eight days.
Hannukah
Why was the first temple destroyed?
Because the three cardinal sins were rampant in society.
Which Persian king gave Ezra permission to lead a group of Jews back to Jerusalem after the exile?
King Artaxerxes I
What major project did Nehemiah undertake when he returned to Jerusalem?
Rebuilding the walls of the temple.
Which Persian king allowed the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple?
King Cyrus the Great
Although the Temple was rebuilt in 516 BCE, this later king expanded and renovated the Second Temple, making it a grand structure that would later be one of the largest in the ancient world.
Clue #1: He is known for his ambitious building projects and for expanding the Temple Mount.
Clue #2: His work on the Temple made it one of the most magnificent religious sites in the Roman world.
King Herod the Great
What were the 3 cardinal sins?
Idol worship, licentiousness, and murder.
What was the primary mission of Ezra when he returned to Jerusalem?
To teach the people the Law of God and help restore proper worship.
What was the reaction of the enemies of the Jews when they heard that Nehemiah was rebuilding Jerusalem's walls?
They were angry and attempted to stop his work.
What significant event occurred in 516 BCE related to the Second Temple?
The completion and dedication of the second temple.
This famous event occurred in 70 CE, nearly 600 years after the completion of the Second Temple. It marked the destruction of the Temple and the end of Jewish sacrificial practices.
Clue #1: It was caused by the Roman Empire during a Jewish revolt.
Clue #2: The destruction of this building was a major turning point in Jewish history, as it ended the era of the Temple in Jerusalem.
The destruction of the Second Temple
What major event followed the destruction of the First Temple?
The Babylonian Exile
Which part of the Tanakh tells the story of Ezra's return to Jerusalem and his efforts to restore the Jewish faith?
The Book of Ezra
What important document did Nehemiah bring with him to secure the materials needed for rebuilding Jerusalem's walls?
A royal decree from King Artaxerxes.
Which two leaders played a crucial role in overseeing the rebuilding of the Second Temple after the Babylonian Exile?
Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest.
This Persian king’s decree in 520 BCE allowed the Jews to resume rebuilding the Second Temple after it had been halted due to opposition.
Clue #1: His reign was marked by stability after the rule of his predecessor.
Clue #2: His decree to resume the rebuilding came after the prophet Haggai and Zechariah urged the people to continue.
King Darius I
Which part of the Tanakh details the events surrounding the destruction of the First Temple?
Menachim Bet/II Kings
Ezra is often credited with establishing what long-lasting Jewish tradition that continues to this day?
Reading Torah in synagogues
Nehemiah faced opposition from a group of local leaders. Who were they?
Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem.
Which prophet encouraged the Jewish people to continue the rebuilding of the Temple, despite the opposition and challenges they faced?
The Prophet Haggai
This famous Jewish leader, known for his role during the Maccabean Revolt, rededicated the Temple in the 2nd century BCE after it had been defiled by the Seleucid king Antiochus IV.
Clue #1: His family led a successful revolt against the Seleucids.
Clue #2: The victory and subsequent rededication of the Temple is commemorated during Hanukkah.
Judah Maccabee