The Exile refers to the deportation of thousands of Jews into Babylonia after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BCE. However, the Babylonians themselves were conquered by the Persians in 539 BCE. This empire permitted the Jews (and other displaced ethnic groups) to return to Jerusalem. Once there, the Jews rebuilt Jerusalem, its walls, and its Temple. The combination of these two events shaped Jewish thought significantly. They became a paradigm for self-understanding as well as for the interpretation of events. Judaism saw this as God's work in history, which gave them hope and courage to carry on.

The following video provides you with the correct English pronunciation of the word "Exile and Return", to help you become a better English speaker.