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The destruction of the Second Temple transformed the Jewish religion.
The center of religious activity no longer focused on the rituals performed by the priests in the Temple,
but rather shifted to houses of study and to the study of Torah by the sages.
Between the third and fifth centuries, the great yeshivas (academies) were established in Babylonia
– Sura, Pumbedita, Nehardea and Mahuza.
Most days of the year, the yeshivas were open only to the scholars.
However, two months out of the year – which were called bridal months –
all the members of the community rested from their labors and flocked to the yeshivas to take part in Torah studies.
