Why did the Jews remain in "exile" in Europe for over a millenium after the fall of the Roman Empire?

Question

If, as the Zionists claim, Palestine was a "land without people for a people without land", why did they chose to remain in Europe up until the late 19th century before deciding to return home en masse?

Answer 1

Ya' know, that's a damn good question!

Answer 2

There was not a mass exile. There were Jews living side by side with Muslims in Palestine even during the diaspora. The exiles were real people that fled from or simply left because of Roman rule. Palestine, at the end pf the 19th Century was populated and almost totally cultivated. Jews Christians and Muslims all lived there, at times in relative harmony.

Answer 3

Well that statement is as stupid as Americans who believe the pilgrim settled a "virgin" land when it was occupied by millions of natives. There has always been a continuous presence in Palestine.

The truth is that the Jews themselves lost the holy land due to their repeated rebellions against Rome the last of which, the revolt of the charismatic but arrogant Simon bar Kokhba, destroyed the Jewish state and led to mass emigration.

Jews then decided to forget about political and religious nationalism, and to concentrate on their faith and their communities instead....Jews became a social and cultural force in the lands that hosted them.

In the 19th century, however, the problem of assimilation into European society ( pogrom, ghettos etc) led some to believe that they needed to set up their own state in their ancestral land. Zionism was influenced by romantic ideals about race and heritage that were prevalent back then.

However, some Jews did migrate to the holy land before the 19th century, but in very few numbers.

Answer 4

What part of exile do you not understand. Do you think that they left the area willingly. Do you think that they enjoyed the Diaspora or the Inquisition? Every major group, Catholics, Muslims and others have persecuted the Jews throughout history. Truthfully, the Jewish claim to that land goes back to the time of Moses. Knowing that, Jews possessed that land for 2,200 years, which is far longer than the Muslims' possession of the same land, and they did not leave willingly. Those who were not murdered outright were forced out by the Romans after 66 A.D. They were not allowed to return until after WWII.

Answer 5

Uh, those aren't all the same people, unless you think that Jews have a 1,000 year life-span.

What, exactly, do you think the Jews living in Europe should have done?

Most people don't want to leave their homes, unless they have very compelling reasons.

Many simply CAN'T relocate.

Answer 6

Because Europe became mostly Christian and the Pope forbade christians from charging usury or interest. Jews stepped in and started making big bucks as loan sharks.

Answer 7

Jack Bernstein

The welfare state that is Israel .