Final answer:
Priests and scribes in Babylon produced much of the Hebrew Bible during the Babylonian Captivity after the fall of Jerusalem. Later, the mobile tradition of Judaism facilitated by the written texts allowed Jews to maintain their religious identity across the diaspora.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the widely accepted Documentary Hypothesis, it is in Babylon, far from their homes in Israel, that priests and scribes produced much of the Hebrew Bible as it is known today. During the Babylonian Captivity, after the fall of Jerusalem, many Judeans were taken to Mesopotamia.
This period was critical for the redaction and compilation of Jewish sacred texts, including parts of the Torah. The groundwork for this process was laid during the reign of King Josiah in the seventh century BCE, who implemented significant religious reforms and promoted strict monotheism.
After the Judeans were freed by Persian King Cyrus, some chose to return to Judah, while others remained, forming a diaspora that continued to practice Judaism and carry on Jewish traditions. This mobile tradition of faith ensured the survival of Jewish identity despite the absence of a stable homeland and the spread of Jews across various regions.