Reconstructing identity in times of crisis: a proposal from synodality

Abstract

The article addresses the history of the people of Israel during the Babylonian domination in 605 BC, highlighting the impact of the exile on the religious and cultural identity of the Israelites. With the fall of Babylon and liberation by the Persian Empire, the exiles returned to Jerusalem and began a process of reconstruction that included the compilation of sacred texts, which would eventually form the Pentateuch. This process was a joint effort between priests and lay people, highlighting the importance of collaborative work. This shows the relevance of these historical events and how it applies to the context of synodality following the model of Ezra and Nehemiah after the exile.