In Babylon Judaism first started to take shape and many of the laws set down during that first exile were the basis for Jewish practice to this day.

Rebuilding a Jewish community in Judea was met with many challenges. The Large community left in Babylon still had great influence over the new one in Judea.

At the end of the Hasmonean period, a dispute between two brother’s rival claim to power, led the Romans to take control of Judea. In order to control the rebel groups Jerusalem was put under siege.