EXPLANATION OFCOVER PICTUREIn Nechemyas time, heroic Jews rebuild the walls aroundYerushalayim. Many workers hold a weapon in one hand, andguards are on alert, because the enemies are lying in wait tokill every Jew involved in the project, so as to stop it.THE FAMILYMIDRASH SAYSThe Book of Ezra-NechemyaThis volume describes a crucial period at theend of the Babylonian exile. Groups of Jews arereturning to Eretz Yisrael with the aim of building asecond Bais Hamikdash. They are led by wonderfultzaddikim: first Zerubavel and Yehoshua, and thenby