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Hellenistic ruler of Syria who tried to make his beliefs, the only beliefs. He burned Torahs, and murdered families that had circumsized their sons. He built an alter to Zeus in the Temple in Jerusalem and sacrificed a hog on it.
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The Maccabean Rebellion won a degree of independence for Judea and established a new and independent kingdom, once again called Israel and centered around Jerusalem. This Rebellion was under the rule of the Hasmonean family.
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Hellenistic beliefs were adopted by some Jews as a more sceptical attitude.
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Ezra was the scribe for the Torah, and he set the precedent for reasding for hours from the Torah scrolls in a public square.
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Cyrus was the king of Persia who authorized the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.
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Assyrians came into the kingdom of Israel due to its corruptness of idolatrous behavior. Assyrians exiled most of the Israelites among the Gentiles, or non-Jewish people.
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David was the composer and singer of psalms who performed for King Saul whenever an evil spirit overtook Saul. When Saul and his son died in battle, David became king. David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.
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Ultimately, Jerusalem was in ruins, along with all Judaean towns. Remaining Jews werew forbidden to read the Torah, observe the Sabbath or circumcise their sons.
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A popular belief among Jews that a messiah would come to rescue the people from their sufferings.
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Pompey was the Roman general that took over the Hasmonean Family's kingdom.
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anti-Roman militias called Zealots helped the Jews rise up in armed rebellion against Rome. This rebellion was suppressed.
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King Solomon who was the son of David built a great temple in Jerusalem. This temple was meant to contain the Ark of the Covenant, and be the performance site of burned offerings.
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Babylonians, under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar, took over Jerusalem, and dismantled the great temple that King Solomon had built. The Judaeans were exiled to Babylonia. This event is thought of as punishment for Judah's idolatrous ways.
