The Talmud in Masechet Yoma on 9b, discussed the differences between the spiritual level of the Jewish people during the first Temple, as opposed to the second Temple.
A story is told about Reish Lakish, who was swimming in the Jordan River. Rabbah bat bar Chana, reached out his hand to help Reish Lakish get out of the water.
A discussion ensued between the two rabbis to the point that Reish Lakish was very upset with his Babylonian colleague. He began by saying that Hashem hates the Jews of Babylonia.
He blamed them for the lack of a Divine Presence during the Second Temple era. Only 42,360 Jews returned with Ezra to rebuild the Second Commonwealth. It is likely that millions did not come because they were more comfortable in Galut.
Reish Lakish quoted a verse from Song of Songs, implying that had the Babylonian Jews come in great numbers, they would have created a wall of silver that would never decay. Because they chose to remain, the wall is not strong and is susceptible to decay.
Rav Yochanan, Reish Lakish’s brother in law, took a different approach. He said that the difference between the two Temples was that the first was built by King Solomon, and the Divine Presence was there. The second was built by King Cyrus, a Persian king, which is why it did not possess the same level of holiness.
The comment to this story by Artscroll, was to make a parallel with the Jews living in the city of Worms, where Rashi once lived. The Jews in Israel pleaded with the Jews of Worms to come to Israel. They refused and said that Worms was their Jerusalem.
They later had to deal with the Crusades and pogroms. Whatever remnants of Judaism was left in the twentieth century, was wiped out by the Nazis.
We see how history repeats itself over and over again, and Jews don’t learn their lesson. There is only one home for the Jewish people. They must come home to Jerusalem while they still have their dignity.