Hi, Rabbi Meth, I hope this finds this well. My name is Shiffy Fagan. I just graduated from Stern and I am in Azrieli. I will be teaching Chumash and Navi at a high school this coming school year. The Navi I'm teaching are Chaggie Zecharia and Malachi, and I wanted to learn and understand more of the background. Your shiur on Sefer Ezra was so helpful, so I just wanted to be makir tov. I just have one question. If Bnie Yisroel were in Baval, how is it that Koresh was able to give them reshus to go back to back to Eretz Yisroel to build the second beis hamikdash? Wouldn't the king of Baval need to give reshus? Thank you so much Kol tuv, Shiffy Fagan

Hi, Rabbi Meth, I hope this finds this well. My name is Shiffy Fagan. I just graduated from Stern and I am in Azrieli. I will be teaching Chumash and Navi at a high school this coming school year. The Navi I'm teaching are Chaggie Zecharia and Malachi, and I wanted to learn and understand more of the background. Your shiur on Sefer Ezra was so helpful, so I just wanted to be makir tov. I just have one question. If Bnie Yisroel were in Baval, how is it that Koresh was able to give them reshus to go back to back to Eretz Yisroel to build the second beis hamikdash? Wouldn't the king of Baval need to give reshus? Thank you so much Kol tuv, Shiffy Fagan

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Hi, and thank you very much for your positive feedback! I hope you have a lot of success this coming year and in all coming years! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">&nbsp;</span>I think that Koresh conquered Bavel. This probably took place 52 years after the Churban, which was 70 years from when Bavel became an Imperial power. The conquest took place on the night of the story of the Handwriting on the Wall. This is why Koresh had the authority to emancipate not only the Jews of his own realm, but also those of Bavel.&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">&nbsp;</span>Have an amazing year!</p>