Who Are the 'Yehudim' of the Bible? ✡ "Digging Out the Foundations" - ISRAEL365

Be it known unto the king, that the Yehudim that came up from thee are come to us unto Yerushalayim; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and are digging out the foundations. Ezra 4:12 (The Israel Bible™) יְדִיעַ לֶהֱוֵא לְמַלְכָּא דִּי יְהוּדָיֵא דִּי סְלִקוּ מִן לְוָתָךְ עֲלֶינָא אֲתוֹ לִירוּשְׁלֶם  קִרְיְתָא מָרָדְתָּא וּבִאישְׁתָּא בָּנַיִן וְשׁוּרַיָּא שַׁכְלִלוּ וְאֻשַּׁיָּא יַחִיטוּ עזרא ד:יב y’-DEE-a le-he-VAY l’-mal-KA dee y’-hu-da-YAY dee s’-LEE-ku min l’-va-TAKH a-LE-na a-TO lee-ru-sh’-LEM kir-y’-TA ma-rad-TA u-veesh-TA ba-NA-yin v’-shu-ra-YA shakh-LI-lu v’-u-sha-YA ya-KHEE-tu

Today's Israel Inspiration The Chosen People have many biblical titles: Hebrews, Children of Jacob, and Israelites, to name a few. What is the origin of the branding “Jew,” in Hebrew ‘Yehudi?” It is first employed as a specific ethnic title during the Babylonian exile, as seen in Ezra, Daniel and Esther. Historically, this name indicated an association with the tribe of Judah (’Yehuda’), from which most of the Babylonian exiles descended. However, the name actually derives from the Hebrew word which means to praise or give thanks, as it says “And she conceived again, and bore a son; and she said: ‘This time will I praise the LORD.’ Therefore she called his name Judah” (Genesis 29:35). The name thus highlights an inherent primary Jewish value. The fact that this collective name was given in exile shows that sometimes one has to travel far away to discover who they really are. Love what you just learned? Sign up with the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies to gain deeper insights into the Bible than you ever thought possible! I Want to Learn More » Is Hanukkah a Religious Holiday? This is the question Jews and non-Jews have been asking for centuries. Take the time to learn the truth behind Hanukkah and reward yourself with the knowledge of history! Watch » On the Heels of Hanukkah: The Biblical Significance of a Rare Underwater Find As Jews all over the world celebrate Hanukkah, we remember that the ancient Greeks are long gone and the Jewish people continue to live on,” said Segal with a smile. Read more » Celebrate Hanukkah with the Menorah of the Temple On Hanukkah we celebrate the victory of the Maccabees against the Hellenistic Greeks. The war was the fight for religious freedom. In an attempt to eradicate religious worship, the Greeks desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem. When the Jews won and returned to the Temple, they could only find one tiny jar of pure oil with which to light the Menorah. The oil should have only lasted one night, but a miracle happened, and it lasted eight days and nights. Discover an ancient artifact with an image of the Temple's menorah, turned into gorgeous jewelry. Shop Hanukkah Sale! Entire Store 8% OFF! » Today's Israel Photo A Jewish family lights the Hanukkiah on the holiday of Hanukkah, in their home in Tzur Hadassah, outside of Jerusalem. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple. If you enjoy your Israel365 daily email newsletter, please consider donating to one of our causes or buying products from our store and blessing the Land and the People of Israel. Thank You to Our Holocaust Campaign Donors "Todah Rabbah" to Marie Dwight from Indiana; Carmelia Fuller from Georgia; Peter Nanigian from California; Donna Waters from Tennessee. Donate to Holocaust Survivors Now » Thank You to our latest Tree Donors "Todah Rabbah" to Michele Uhrle from Queensland, Australia; Judy Thompson from Texas; Ruth Hansen from California; Guenther Koppitsch from Lieboch, Austria. Plant a Tree in Israel » Thank you to our Israel365 Store Customers "Todah Rabbah" to Rose Bechard from Saskatchewan, Canada; Steven Gagne from Quebec, Canada; John Peters from Alberta, Canada; Eugenia Curet from Texas. Shop the Israel365 Store » Thank You Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel! Sponsor a day in honor of a loved one » “Blesses My Heart” It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send me an email and let me know how you are enjoying Israel365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!). Stay in Touch » Every little piece of Israel I can get here in Michigan, USA blesses my heart. Shalom,  ~~Dee Shalom, Rabbi Tuly Weisz RabbiTuly@Israel365.com

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