All Israel: What do Two-House teachers do with references from the Tanach or Old Testament that seem to indicate that all Israel was reunified after the Babylonian exile?
Ezra 8:25 is sometimes used as a proof text to show that all Israel, those of both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, were present in the Land of Israel after the Babylonian exile. Certainly, we do believe that individuals from the Northern Kingdom, who were loyal to the Lord, became a part of the Southern Kingdom after the death of King Solomon. Likewise, we believe that there were individuals, who in spite of the Diaspora forced upon them by Assyria, remained faithful to their Israelite heritage and remembered their tribal designations. However, in the dedication of the Second Temple in Ezra 8:25, the text clearly describes all Israel present there or all Israel who were present (NJPS), kol Yisrael hanimetzaim (~yacmNh larfy-lk). It is specifically talking about those who were at the dedication ceremony. It is not categorical proof that all Israel was reunited after the exile, and the glory of Israel that was to be revealed in the eschaton has been made manifest. Ezra 10:5 further c
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