Editing Jewish Shtetl (Town) (section)

== Distribution ==
There were two main reasons for the existence of Jewish towns. One was the convenience in managing community life without external interference, complete immersion in a world of Torah and fear of Heaven, disconnected from worldly troubles and trials. But this did not force Jews to settle specifically in towns, and many Jews preferred life in large cities (either because of their businesses or for other reasons). The second reason, which caused the expansion of the "shtetl" phenomenon, was the decree of the "Pale of Settlement" that began during the period of the Russian Tsars, forbidding Jews from living in city centers and large cities, and allocating isolated settlements for Jews as part of a policy to develop remote places, such as many areas in Ukraine, or Polish territories annexed to Russia. Because of this, Jewish towns were widespread mainly in Eastern Europe, Ukraine, and Polish territories annexed to Russia.

This period began in the Middle Ages and continued until the almost complete extinction of the towns during World War II and its continuation under the Communist regime.