Our Jewish Heritage
Dr. Lenore C. Kipper, Judaic Studies Director Emerita
After Torah: Time for Tanach, The Books of the Bible
What happened to the Southern Kingdom of Judah? In contrast to turbulent Israel, the smaller kingdom of Judah lived peacefully for many years. Because it was remote from the main caravan routes, it did not seek trade or military pacts with other kings and sought to avoid war. The splendor of Solomon’s days was gone, but the real glory remained, the Temple on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. The people of Judah continued to bring their offerings and celebrated their festivals. Our primary source continues to be the Book of Kings.
The Role of Leadership: Kings and Prophets
The importance of decisions made by certain kings and their advisors in determining the kingdom’s security and stability is evident. Remember, this is the Davidic line of inheritance. Some highlights will be described to provide a sense of what occurred during this period. When King Ahaz (742-725 BCE) faced the difficult choice between appeasing Assyria and joining an anti-Assyrian alliance with neighboring states, he turned to the prophet Isaiah, who had counseled the royal family for three generations. He advised Ahaz not to join the anti-Assyrian alliance, as he was confident they would be no match for the mighty Assyrians.
You will remember that the Assyrians defeated the Northern Kingdom of Israel and dispersed the ten tribes to other lands. King Hezekiah Rules (725-697 BCE)
Hezekiah was the son of Ahaz. He followed Isaiah’s advice, and he strengthened the nation by upholding its laws and traditions and remaining loyal to the covenant. He ruled for 29 years and is remembered as a great king for his religious virtue and his political and military skill. He purified the religious life by eliminating any forms of idolatry that had penetrated Judah. He was responsible for a national renewal and awakening. He made alliances with neighboring kings to withstand the Assyrians. He also had a tunnel constructed that led to the Pool of Siloam and an aqueduct that brought water to the city of David. In 1880, the secret passageway was discovered. Archaeologists found a Hebrew inscription carved into stone that describes how two crews of workmen met at that point when the tunnel was completed. The second book of Kings tells us: Hezekiah did what was right in Adonai’s eyes. He trusted in God…after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah…he remained close to Adonai and observed the commandments.” The tunnel is a favorite tourist site today, and if you are able, you should try to go through it! In 701 BCE, the Assyrians invaded Judah and Jerusalem.
Suddenly, a plague struck the Assyrian camp, many died, and Judah survived! When Hezekiah died, his son, Manasseh, became king. He became an obedient vassal to the Assyrians. His leadership led to high taxes, corruption, a lack of loyalty to the covenant, the return of idolatry, and the weakening of the Kingdom of Judah.
King Josiah the Reformer (639-609 BCE)
After King Manasseh, who ruled for 55 years, his son Amon continued his father’s policies. He became so unpopular that he was assassinated after only two years. His very young son, Josiah, became king. Josiah paid attention to the words of the prophets. He rid the land of the idols and corrupt officials. He returned to the laws of the covenant and the worship of Adonai. During the renovation of the Holy Temple, the Beit HaMikdash, the book of Deuteronomy was discovered. It was read to Josiah, and he led the people to the Temple in repentance. He ordered many reforms. The people once again became familiar with the laws, history, and traditions of their heritage. Under Josiah, the kingdom recovered much of its previous importance. He reigned for 33 years. It was the last period of the Kingdom of Judah’s greatness. Caught between the powers of Egypt and Babylonia, Josiah died at Megiddo. (2 Kings: 22-23)
The End of the Kingdom of Judah
The years following Josiah were difficult. Eventually, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia became the dominant power in the region. He had destroyed many of Judah’s towns. Most of Judah’s leaders and scholars were taken captive to Babylonia. This was the first exile in 597 BCE. When King Zedekiah, son of Josiah, rebelled against Babylonia, Jerusalem was besieged in 586 BCE on the 9th of Av. The Temple was destroyed, and the people were taken captive to Babylonia, except for the poorest of the people. Jewish life in Babylonia becomes the first Diaspora Jewish Community.
Life in Babylonia
The exiles in Babylonia build a new life. Some were farmers, but most settled in the great cities of Babylon and Tel Abib. From records, we learn that Babylonia had a high level of civilization, and the exiles were allowed to continue their own traditions and participate in the economic life of the country. Without the Temple, they created new forms of worship and continued to study Torah. Prophets gave them renewed hope of returning to Jerusalem (which happened under Cyrus of Persia!).
The end of the House of King David
With the fall of the kingdom of Judah, 400 years of rule by the House of David came to an end. This period of the divided kingdoms, as described in the books of Kings, is difficult to understand. It includes religious, political, and military battles that challenge even those of us who love history! But we need to remember our connection to the land from the time of Joshua and the tribes to the fall of Israel in 722 BCE, and then to the fall of Judah in 586 BCE. Throughout modern Israel, there is archaeological evidence of the life of the Jewish People in Eretz Yisrael.
Shalom, Chag Chanukah Sameach
Lenore