What role did Ezra play in post-exilic Jerusalem?

Ezra played a significant role in post-exilic Jerusalem primarily as a scribe and a teacher of the Torah. After the Babylonian exile, Ezra returned to Jerusalem with a mission to restore the spiritual and ethical lives of the Jewish people. His emphasis was on the importance of adhering to the Law of Moses, which involved not only the reading and teaching of the Torah but also encouraging the people to live according to its precepts.

Ezra organized a public reading of the Law, gathering the people to help them understand their heritage and responsibilities under God's covenant. This act was fundamental in revitalizing the community's identity and religious practices after years of exile. By instilling a sense of reverence for the scripture and re-establishing the centrality of the Law in communal life, he played a crucial part in shaping the post-exilic community's spiritual foundation.

In contrast, while rebuilding projects like the altar, temple, and walls were vital for the restoration of Jerusalem, those aspects were primarily associated with figures like Zerubbabel and Nehemiah. Ezra's specific contribution lay in spiritual renewal through the instruction and observance of the Torah, which was essential for re-establishing a covenant relationship with God among his people.