ABSTRACT
From the time of the Babylonian Exile to the compilation of the Babylonian Talmud over a millennium later, Judaism underwent a tremendous change. Developments in political and religious leadership, conceptions about the divine world, the locations and practices of worship, and relations with non-Jews helped to mould Judaism in this formative period. The changing religious landscape also influenced the shaping and interpretation of Judaism's sacred texts. Although containing earlier traditions, the Hebrew Bible is essentially a product of the Second Temple period (515 BCE-70 CE). At that time the final editing of the Pentateuchal and major prophetic texts took place. Likewise, several other biblical works including Third Isaiah (Isa. 56–66), Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Ecclesiastes, Ruth, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Chronicles, and possibly Job were composed. In addition to the biblical texts, scores of other writings narrated stories about Israelite heroes, recounted important events in Jewish history, offered praises to God, recorded visions of the heavenly world, or extolled the ethical values of Judaism.
