70 Years

For the 10th of Tevet, let us take a short look at one small aspect of Galut Bavel.

The theme of 70 years shows up 3 times regarding Galut Bavel (See Seder Olam Rabba chapter 28, the GR"A there).

(The following years are mainly taken from Seder HaDorot HaKatzar by Rav Shlomo Binizri, which largely follows Seder Olam Rabba)

3319 - Nevuchadnetzar becomes king of Bavel. (Seder HaDorot HaKatzar, based on Seder Olam chapter 24 with the GR"A there, and Yirmiyahu 46).

3320 - Nevuchadnetzar captures Yerushalayim.

3338 - Destruction of the Beit HaMikdash

3389 - The death of Belshatzar, the last king of Bavel, as recorded in Daniel chapter 5. Beginning of the kingdom of Paras uMadai.

3390 - First year of the reign of Koresh, Koresh declares that the Jews can return to Eretz Yisrael and build the Beit HaMikdash.

3408 - Construction Resumes on 2nd Beit HaMikdash, this is considered the year it was built (although construction continued for a few years)

We therefore end up with three periods.

3319 - 3389 - 70 Years of Bavel, from the beginning of the reign of Nevuchadnetzar to the murder of Belshatzar

3320 - 3390 - 70 Years from the initial capture of Yerushalayim until the order for Yerushalayim to be rebuilt

3338 - 3408 - 70 Years from the destruction of the 1st Beit HaMikdash to the construction of the 2nd Beit HaMikdash