Haggai is one of 12 books of Minor Prophets (“Trei Asar”), marked by their shortness. Speaking in the 6th century BCE, 18 years after Cyrus the Great’s decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Israel, Haggai criticizes those who have settled in Israel but not rebuilt the Temple and urges them to begin building. His language is mostly simple and straightforward, and his persuasion is successful; Haggai reports that three weeks after his first prophecy, construction of the Second Temple commenced.