Question

What did Daniel propose for himself and his fellow Jews?

a) To form a rebellion against the Babylonian rulers
b) To engage in peaceful negotiations with the Babylonians
c) To refuse to follow Babylonian customs and laws
d) To be allowed to maintain their own dietary and religious practices

Answer 1

The correct answer is option d) To be allowed to maintain their own dietary and religious practices.

Step-by-step explanation:

The proper answer to the question, regarding what Daniel proposed for himself and his fellow Jews, is that he asked to be allowed to maintain their own dietary and religious practices. Falling under Babylonian rule after the destruction of Jerusalem, many Jews were deported to Babylon. However, a section of them, including Daniel, retained their Judean identity and religious beliefs. In order to preserve their identity while in Babylonian exile, they developed strict sets of religious customs, including marriage laws, ceremonies, dietary laws such as keeping a kosher diet, and intensive study of their sacred books.

When given the opportunity by the Persian king Cyrus the Great, who conquered the Neo-Babylonians and allowed deported peoples to return to their homelands, many Jews went back to Judah to reconstruct the temple, although some chose to remain in Babylon, thus beginning the Jewish diaspora. The maintenance of Jewish practices was central to their cultural and religious integrity during this time.