Reconstructing the Second Temple: The Tale of Nehemiah ben Hushiel
Nehemiah ben Hushiel embarked on an ambitious project to build a synagogue on the Temple Mount. Assisted by Jews from across Israel, he set out to construct the Third Temple. But did his vision materialize?
Around 2,400 years ago, Nehemiah ben Hachaliah, a governor appointed by the King of Persia, journeyed to Israel. He rebuilt the ruins of Jerusalem, restored the temple rituals, and inspired the Jewish people to return to their faith, urging them to separate from foreign wives. Together with Ezra the Scribe, he established the "Great Assembly," which ensured the Torah's transmission for future generations.
Few are aware that Nehemiah ben Hushiel, the son of the head of the Babylonian exile, arrived in Israel amid the Sassanian-Persian conquest. In 614 CE, the Sassanians captured Jerusalem, expelled the Christians, and appointed Nehemiah as the city's governor. A descendant of King David, Nehemiah sought priests of pure lineage to assist him in the construction of the Third Temple. To this end, he convened a "Council of Sages" consisting of learned Jews who accompanied him from Persia and those living in Israel.
The Sassanian kingdom was a successor to the Persian Empire, with its capital in Iran. At the time, it was ruled by King Khosrow II, a ruthless leader who ascended the throne through a rebellion against his father, whom he ultimately executed. However, Khosrow needed the support of the Jews—both in Israel and Persia—whose influence was significant, to conquer Israel.
Khosrow declared war on the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius and reached the gates of Jerusalem with a formidable army. However, Christian monks within the city spread a "prophecy" claiming the Persians would never seize Jerusalem, remaining complacent behind the gates. The Christian bishop, more pragmatic, pleaded with the residents to surrender to the Persian might, but his counsel went unheeded. The Persian forces laid siege to the city and breached its defenses after twenty days. They massacred Byzantine Christians and expelled the survivors, forcing them to trample on their religious symbols as they departed.
Nehemiah ben Hushiel constructed a synagogue on the Temple Mount and initiated plans for building the Third Temple, with enthusiastic assistance from Jews throughout the land. The extent of progress on his plan remains unclear. Some scholars claim he erected a structure on the Foundation Stone, suggesting the modern Dome of the Rock stands upon these ancient foundations. Certain liturgical poems also hint at these events. Nonetheless, Nehemiah's authority in Jerusalem lasted only three years.
While the Persian kingdom seized this opportunity, the Byzantine Empire was far from defeated. Emperor Heraclius began assembling forces to reclaim the Holy Land. Additionally, local Christians persecuted the Jews, compelling them to flee Jerusalem for the fortified walls of Caesarea.
The Jewish political leadership in Israel, including the wealthy Benjamin of Tiberias, decided to forge an alliance with the Byzantines, anticipating their eventual victory and control over the region. Indeed, Khosrow met his demise, and his successor, Kavad II, submitted to Heraclius. Unlike the Persians, the Christians revered Jerusalem, and the dream of a renewed Temple faded, prompting Jews to leave the city and settle predominantly in the north.
A contemporary work, "The Book of Zerubbabel," dramatically recounts these events and how some people believed that Nehemiah ben Hushiel, a scion of King David, was indeed the Messiah destined to redeem Israel. Yet, we continue to await the true Messiah, who will swiftly come to deliver us.
