The concept of liberality among the Jews after the Babylonian captivity is a significant theme in the post-exilic period, reflecting a renewed commitment to generosity and communal support as they rebuilt their society and religious practices. This period, marked by the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem and the surrounding regions, saw a re-establishment of religious and social norms, with liberality playing a crucial role in the restoration process.

Rebuilding the Temple and the City Walls

Upon their return, the Jews faced the monumental task of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. The Book of Ezra provides insight into the liberality exhibited by the Jewish community during this time. Ezra 1:6 states, "And all their neighbors supported them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuable gifts, in addition to all the freewill offerings." This verse highlights the generous contributions made by the people, both from within the Jewish community and from their neighbors, to support the reconstruction efforts.

The rebuilding of the city walls under Nehemiah further exemplifies this spirit of liberality. Nehemiah 2:18 records the people's response to Nehemiah's call to action: "So they said, 'Let us start rebuilding,' and they strengthened their hands for the good work." The willingness of the people to contribute their time, resources, and labor demonstrates a collective commitment to the welfare of their community.

Support for the Priests and Levites

The post-exilic period also saw a renewed emphasis on supporting the religious leaders, including the priests and Levites, who played a vital role in the spiritual life of the community. Nehemiah 12:44 notes, "On that day men were appointed over the storerooms, the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions required by the Law for the priests and Levites." This organized system of contributions ensured that the religious leaders were adequately provided for, allowing them to focus on their duties without the distraction of material concerns.

Generosity Toward the Needy

The post-exilic Jewish community also demonstrated liberality through their care for the poor and needy. Nehemiah 5:1-13 recounts an instance where Nehemiah addressed the issue of economic oppression among the Jews. He called for the cancellation of debts and the return of lands and properties to those who had been exploited. This act of liberality was not only a response to immediate needs but also a reaffirmation of the covenantal principles of justice and mercy.

Festivals and Offerings

The observance of religious festivals provided another opportunity for the expression of liberality. During the Feast of Tabernacles, as described in Nehemiah 8:10 , the people were encouraged to "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared." This directive underscores the importance of sharing and ensuring that all members of the community could participate in the celebrations, regardless of their economic status.

Conclusion

The liberality of the Jews after the captivity was a testament to their renewed dedication to God and to one another. Through their generous contributions to the rebuilding efforts, support for religious leaders, care for the needy, and inclusive celebrations, they embodied the principles of generosity and communal responsibility that were central to their faith and identity.Ezra 1:5,6
Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
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Ezra 2:68,69
And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
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Ezra 3:2-9
Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brothers, and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
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Ezra 5:2-6
Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
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Ezra 6:14-22
And the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
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Ezra 8:25-35
And weighed to them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered:
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Nehemiah 3:1
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even to the tower of Meah they sanctified it, to the tower of Hananeel.
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Nehemiah 4:6
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together to the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
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Nehemiah 6:3
And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
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Nehemiah 7:70-72
And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
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Nehemiah 10:32-39
Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God;
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Nehemiah 13:12,31
Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil to the treasuries.
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Haggai 1:12-14
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.
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Haggai 2:18,19
Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid, consider it.
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Ezra, the Priest and Scribe
... of the attainments of Ezra, and for the liberality of the ... But with the passing of
the years after the close ... And besides, the Jews remaining in Babylon were in ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 50 ezra the priest.htm

Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.
... His design was to exhibit the liberality of Cyrus and Darius towards the Jews as
a ... It was manifestly written after the return of the Jews from the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/appendix the apocryphal books of.htm

Building in Troublous Times
... of the northern kingdom, left behind after the removal ... did not worship Jehovah as
the Jews, but along ... to expand in a lazy and foolish 'liberality,' which will ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/building in troublous times.htm

The Formation and Order of the Primitive Church.
... Christians, as displayed in the liberality with which ... be admitted, that many of the
Jews were converted to Christianity soon after its publication ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture iii the formation and.htm

Panegyric on the Splendor of Affairs.
... and splendid materials, using unstinted liberality in his ... in his hand, erected in
Rome after his victory ... we all constitute"; then of the Jews, "the builders of ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iv panegyric on the splendor.htm

Acts xx. 32
... says, "received us gladly." Affairs among the Jews were now ... saith, "didst begin,
I follow and come after: I am ... And mark his liberality"he killed a calf, and ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlv acts xx 32.htm

Ananias and Sapphira.
... to the inveterate prejudices of the Jews, and was ... they sold their possession, did
not, after the example ... with high commendations of their zeal and liberality. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vi ananias and sapphira.htm

the life of constantine
... Chapter XI.--Silence of the Council, after Some Words ... of Easter, and against the
Practice of the Jews. ... Chapter IV.--His Liberality, from His Private Resources ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/the life of constantine/

Chapter i.
... The report of the King's liberality towards his captives ... ii.3). But it was impossible
for Jews who for ... In Palestine after the Return, Aramaic gradually took the ...
/.../an introduction to the old testament in greek additional notes/chapter i.htm

Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ...
... Often, also, do the prophets remind the Jews of this ... his chosen," (Ps.105:6). And
after an enumeration ... the continual course of his great liberality is ascribed ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 21 of the eternal.htm

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