This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Humus sapiens (talk | contribs) at 23:33, 11 January 2004 (galuth). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 23:33, 11 January 2004 by Humus sapiens (talk | contribs) (galuth)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Jewish diaspora (Galuth in Hebrew) refers to the dispersion of the Jewish people throughout the world. Diaspora is commonly accepted to have begun with the Babylonian Captivity in 568 BC. Many Middle Eastern Jewish communities were established then as a result of tolerant policies and remained notable Judaic centers for centuries to come. One outcome of that was Babylonian Talmud.
Crushed Jewish revolts against the Romans by Titus in 70 and Hadrian in 135 notably contributed to the numbers and geography of diaspora, as many Jews were scattered after losing their state Judea or were sold to slavery throughout the Roman empire.
Subsequent numerous exiles and persecution affected the numbers and dynamics of Jewish diaspora. In today's diaspora, the largest number of Jews (about 6 million) live in the US.