18Forty Podcast Malka Simkovich: When Did The Jewish Diaspora Begin? [Israel & Diaspora 2/5]
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Nov 19, 2024 Malka Simkovich, a scholar of Jewish history and editor-in-chief of the Jewish Publication Society, delves into the ancient dynamics of the Jewish diaspora. She explores how concepts like golah and galut shaped identities over 2,000 years ago. The discussion examines the political implications for ancient Jews in exile and their support for Israel. Malka also highlights the emotional aftermath of the Second Temple's destruction and the evolving nature of Jewish identity, linking historical context to contemporary experiences in the diaspora.
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One People
- The term "Yehudim" encompasses a continuous Jewish identity through history, despite scholarly distinctions between "Judahites," "Judeans," and "Jews".
- These distinctions artificially separate biblical Jews from later rabbinic Judaism.
A Divided Community
- The Babylonian exile marked the first time Jews grappled with a divided community, raising questions about the nature of exile.
- This theological crisis arose from the prophecy of a complete return to Israel, which didn't fully materialize.
Diverse Jewish Practice
- Second Temple-era Jews outside Israel were not necessarily assimilated or less observant.
- Jewish practice varied widely, with both pious and Hellenized Jews living both inside and outside Israel.
