of the Persian kings, starting with Cyrus, as kindness extended by God himself so that his people might have new life (Ezra 9:9). However, most of the Jews did not return, and Babylon continued to be a thriving center of Judaism for centuries thereafter. The situation today is similar to that of the postexilic period, in that the majority of Jews live outside of Israel, though they can immigrate if they wish. This fact creates certain tensions and dependencies in the relationship between the Jews