Question

prior to the discretion of the second temple which area contained diaspora communities

Answer 1

Prior to the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, diaspora Jewish communities existed in various regions outside of Judea. Significant areas where these communities were located included:

1. **Alexandria, Egypt**: This city had a large and influential Jewish population, and it was home to the famous Jewish philosopher Philo.

2. **Antioch, Syria**: Another major center of Jewish life in the Hellenistic world, Antioch was significant for its cultural and commercial activities.

3. **Asia Minor**: Various cities in this region, such as Ephesus, Pergamum, and Smyrna, had established Jewish communities.

4. **Rome, Italy**: The Jewish community in Rome was one of the oldest in the diaspora and grew significantly over time.

5. **Babylonia (modern Iraq)**: Though part of the ancient Persian Empire, Babylonia had a well-established Jewish community, especially after the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE.

These communities were often centers of cultural and religious life and played a significant role in the development of Jewish identity and practices during the Second Temple period and beyond.