Tonight, the 9th of Tevet starts the Yahrzeit of Ezra and Nehemiah, the most prominent figures in the Return to Zion story - when Jews returned to Israel after the Babylonian Exile. Sadly, only 42,000 of between 500,000 to 1 million made their way home. That's between 5-10%. (Read about Jewish Life in Babylon through archaeology here). Furthermore, they were met with heavy physical and political resistance from their neighbors - a familiar story for those living in Israel today. But this time, we have the promise that after a 2,700-year exile (counting from the First Temple Period), Am Israel will remain in the Land of Israel, never to be uprooted again - that means something's gotta give - soon:
"I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them,” Says the L-RD your G-d
-- Amos 9:15
Politics is nothing new, the TANAKH (Hebrew Bible) is riddled with it. You can read all about what happened during the days of Nehemiah and Ezra and the archaeology confirming these accounts here:
(Make sure you listen to the audio or view the "Read while you listen" option to get the full insight.)
Even the event that sparked the Return to Zion was political when Cyrus allowed the Jews to Return. Afterward, there was a big to and fro, "Yes, they can build, not they can't." - years and a series of delays.
Despite the politics and viewpoints of great nations and their leaders that can be so easily swayed (read more about Persian Governer Tattenai here), hateful neighbors, and those who grew too comfortable in exile, Nehemiah and 41 teams finally started and were able to rebuild the wall and secured Jerusalem within 52 days. If anything, the TANAKH gives encouragement to stand firm and stay the course. It also tells us that there is always a struggle for the things that really matter, but they are worth fighting for!
May a new light dawn on Zion, and may we be worthy of its light.
אוֹר חָדָשׁ עַל צִיּוֹן תָּאִיר וְנִזְכֶּה כֻלָּנוּ מְהֵרָה לְאוֹרוֹ
--Birkat Yotzer HaOr
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