Antiochus IV had been in Rome as a hostage because of his father's military defeats. "Judah Maccabee". When you hear about an historic event such as the Maccabean revolt it should immediately take your mind to Judas Maccabees. Among his many errors, Yochanan Hyrcanus does a terrible anti-Jewish thing. Role of Women in Judaism This will be the last period of true peace and stability for a very long time. 9. Theres a version of the story of Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday that begins on Sunday evening, that many modern-day celebrants probably know. This work, with libretto by Thomas Morell, had been written for the celebrations following the Duke of Cumberland's victory over the Scottish Jacobite rebels at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. Outside the pale of Judaism in most, though not all, respects were the Samaritans, who, like the Sadducees, refused to recognize the validity of the Oral Law; in fact, the break between the Sadducees and the Samaritans did not occur until the conquest of Shechem by John Hyrcanus (128 bce). The rededication of the Temple does not end the fight however. The fame of Judas Maccabeus was heard across Jerusalem when he defeated the Greek general Apollonius (1 Maccabees 3:1-9), this caught the attention of the Syrian commander Seron, who decided that he would attempt to take down the Israelites to make a name for himself (1 Maccabees 3:13-14). Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, celebrates the Maccabean Revolt (167-160 BCE), and the narrative that Jewish rebel Judas Maccabeus vanquished the evil Greek emperor Antiochus and rededicated the Temple, at which the miracle of the oil occurred. This led to a rebellion against the Romans led by Judas Maccabees. His body was taken by his brothers from the battlefield and buried in the family sepulchre at Modiin. How did the intertestamental period affect the Jewish diaspora communities? [the Greeks], [the Hasmoneans] .searched and found only one flask of oilwith the Kohen Gadols [High Priest] seal, and it contained only [enough oil] to burn for one day. However, just as capitulation seemed imminent, Lysias and Eupator had to withdraw when Antiochus Epiphanes's commander-in-chief Philip, whom the late ruler appointed regent before his death, rebelled against Lysias and was about to enter Antioch and seize power. DONATE The return of Israel will be the larger migration because, aside from the 70-year captivity in Babylon, some of the descendants of Judah have always resided in the Promised Land. Jewish Beliefs & Philosophy Greek influence reached its peak under King Herod I of Judaea (reigned 374 bce), who built a Greek theatre, amphitheatre, and hippodrome in or near Jerusalem. The seven major battles of the Maccabean Revolt took place in what is now the West Bank, also known as Judea and Samaria. By the early rabbinic period about a century later at the time that the Mishnah (the first compilation of oral rabbinic law included in the Talmud) was redacted the holiday had become known by the name of Hanukkah ("Dedication"). 16 Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms. The oratorio's most famous chorus is "See, the conqu'ring hero comes". The History of Hanukkah | My Jewish Learning Required fields are marked *. In Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost, he is enacted along with the other Nine Worthies, but heckled for sharing a name with Judas Iscariot. 30 And spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel. The Maccabean Revolt was caused by several factors including: The promotion of Greek culture The persecution of Judaism by the Seleucid Empire The prohibition on various Jewish practices by the. By Steven H. Werlin In modern Judaism, the holiday of Chanukah celebrates the victorious revolt of the Jews against the Seleucid Greeks in 167-164 BCE ("before the common era" = BC). Judah personally led the campaign in Transjordan, taking with him his brother Jonathan. You can take a look at the dietary laws here. The Revolt of the Maccabees - Judaism Online In the end, the Maccabees recaptured Jerusalem and regained their freedom. The Maccabean Revolt - Ligonier Ministries A descendant of this familyHerodwill be appointed Jewish king and he will be a schizophrenic ruler. Handel wrote his Judas Maccabaeus oratorio (1746) on the subject. They find the Temple defiled and turned into a pagan sanctuary, where pigs are sacrificed on the altar. The Herodian dynasty, starting with Herod the Great, ruled over Palestine under the oversight of Roman authority. It is a domestic, familial occasion, not a synagogue-going one. On the first day no work is to be done, then on the last day the 8th day this is also a rest day (1 Maccabees 4:59, 2 Maccabees 10:4-8). Judas Maccabeus was a priest who led the revolt against the Seleucid Empire in Israel in the second century BC. During World War II the Swiss-German writer Karl Boxler published his novel Judas Makkabaeus; ein Kleinvolk kaempft um Glaube und Heimat (1943), the subtitle of which suggests that Swiss democrats then drew a parallel between their own national hero, William Tell, and the leader of the Maccabean revolt against foreign tyranny. Sadducees - Wikipedia As mentioned earlier the 25th of the 9th month was significant because this is the exact same day that it was profaned by the Romans. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like List four of the Maccabean results that revealed the Power of God for the Jews, How did John Hyrcanus purify the rest of the country of pagan influences, What did John Hyrcanus do that caused problems with the Samaritans, problems that would last even through the time of Jesus and more. It is because of the institution of Rome that people now eat unclean foods such as swine, which was a food forced upon Israel during the Roman rule. The intertestamental period, also known as the Second Temple period, spans roughly four centuries between the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomons porch. The Second Exodus (Part One). When Mattathias died, two years into the revolt, his sons carried on. He therefore offers prayers and an expiatory sacrifice for these warriors who have died in a state of sin. Demetrius granted Alcimus's request to be appointed High Priest under the protection of the king's army and sent to Judea an army led by Bacchides. His son and especially his grandsons became ardent Hellenists. 22 And the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials. By understanding this pivotal era, we gain a deeper comprehension of the challenges faced by the Jewish people, the various sects within Judaism, and the Messianic expectations that shaped the reception of Jesus ministry. His successor was another Hellenizer Alcimus. The intertestamental period marked a time of spiritual anticipation among Jews. His son and especially his grandsons became ardent Hellenists. Contact between Greeks and Semites goes back to Minoan and Mycenaean times and is reflected in certain terms used by Homer and other early Greek authors. This revolt took place because the Israelites were fighting for the laws and commandments of the Most High, which is our faith today. 45 ce), and they never use any Greek philosophical terms; the only Greek author whom they name is Homer. The tune of this chorus was later adopted as a Christian Easter hymn tune Thine Be The Glory, Risen Conquering Son. This was one of the major cities of the Idumeans. Seleucus grabbed Syria and Asia Minor, and Antigonus took Greece. Im sure youve heard references such as Rome wasnt built in a day all of these phrases pay homage to the Roman Empire. History & Overview of the Maccabees - Jewish Virtual Library It reveals the struggles, hopes, and reforms within Judaism that set the stage for the coming of the Messiah and offers valuable insights into the formation of various sects and the Jewish diaspora. Under Nehemiah, the wall of Jerusalem is rebuilt. Judas Maccabees and his brothers are able to be successful because of the support of the Most High even though they were outnumbered by the Romans generals during the battles, Another monumental battle is the take back of the the sanctuary in Jerusalem from the nations who captured it, as explained previously (1 Maccabees 4:41-), After this victory Maccabees and the others rebuilt the Sanctuary temple and made new holy vessels. Which we now know to be against the bible and the laws of the Most High. Religiously more circumscribed than the Pharisees, they rejected the idea of a revealed oral interpretation of the Torah, even though they had their own tradition, the sefer gezerot (book of decrees or decisions). C. Identify the psalm genre of the psalm that begins this way: If it had not been the LORD who was on our side let Israel now say if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when our enemies attacked us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the . Even now, the state of Israel does not control all of the land. Theology dont Flashcards | Quizlet You can unsubscribe at any time. The Romans also erected their own statues in holy places in Jerusalem and burned the books of the law, killing anybody that was found with the book of the law. The revolt was led by a country priest called Mattathias, and his military followers became known as Maccabees. By James M. Rochford. Jacob Benjamin Katznelson (18551930) wrote the poem, "Alilot Gibbor ha-Yehudim Yehudah ha-Makkabi le-Veit ha-Hashmona'im" (1922); the Yiddish writer Moses Schulstein wrote the dramatic poem, "Yehudah ha-Makkabi" (in A Layter tsu der Zun, 1954); Jacob Fichman's "Yehudah ha-Makkabi" is one of the heroic tales included in Sippurim le-Mofet (1954). [7] He then marched on the coast of the Mediterranean, destroyed the altars and statues of the pagan gods in Ashdod, and returned to Judea with much spoils. After the success of the initial wars we see the rededication of the temple which is the focal Point and symbol of the Maccabean revolt also the start of the Hasmonean dynasty. As warrior hero and national liberator, Judah Maccabee has inspired many writers, and several artists and composers. The Maccabean Revolt: The Jewish Rebellion Against the Seleucid Empire Since the collapse of the Roman Empire, notwithstanding some temporary Crusader holdings, the Promised Land has been under the sway of various Arab and Muslim nationsnotably the Ottoman Empiredown to modern times. The Jewish population of the areas taken by the Maccabees was evacuated to Judea. Before his death Seleucus Philopater had sent his son to Rome in exchange for his brother Antiochus IV. Therefore, it was a miracle and to celebrate, we light a menorah for eight nights and eat foods cooked in oil, like latkes and doughnuts. the Maccabees held a dedication of the Temple with proper sacrifice, rekindling of the golden menorah, and eight days of celebration and praise to God. If his father was Matthias who was a priest, that means that Judas would have come from the lineage of the Levites. Despite the attempts of the Pharisaic leaders to restrain the wave of Greek influence, they themselves showed at least superficial Hellenization. It witnessed significant shifts in power, religious traditions, and cultural exchanges that profoundly impacted the Jewish people and prepared the stage for the arrival of Jesus Christ. Judas Maccabees father Mattathias was the son of Hasmoneus (Hasmon). This force was dispatched by Lysias, whom Antiochus left as viceroy after departing on a campaign against the Parthians. In 167 BCE Mattathias, together with his sons Judah, Eleazar, Simon, John, and Jonathan, started a revolt against the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who since 169/8 BCE had issued decrees that forbade Jewish religious practices. It is also good to see that the Bible is centred in our reality. In the first place, as many as 2,500 to 3,000 words of Greek origin are found in the Talmudic corpus, and they supply important terms in the fields of law, government, science, religion, technology, and everyday life, especially in the popular sermons preached by the rabbis. What happened in the Maccabean Revolt? | GotQuestions.org Declaring himself the rightful king, he captured and killed Lysias and Antiochus Eupator, taking the throne. The wealthiest of the priests were the members of the Oniad family, who held the hereditary office of high priest until they were replaced by the Hasmoneans; the Temple that they supervised also functioned as a bank, where the wealth of the Temple was stored and where private individuals also deposited their money. Judah Maccabee (or Judas Maccabeus, also spelled Machabeus, or Maccabus, Hebrew: ,[1] Yehudah HaMakabi) was a Jewish priest (kohen) and a son of the priest Mattathias. What Is the Most Widely Practiced Religion in the World? The Books of the Maccabees were both written in the first century BCE. When war against the external enemy came to an end, an internal struggle broke out between the party led by Judah and the Hellenist party. After Alexander the Greats conquests, Greek culture and influence rapidly spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean, including Palestine. (1). Several explanations have been put forward for this surname. Yes, the intertestamental period witnessed the rise of various Jewish sects, such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots, each representing different interpretations and practices of Judaism. The intertestamental period sets the stage for the New Testament. What Were the Impacts of the Maccabean Rebellion on the Ancient Near Judah raised the siege of the Acra and went to meet Lysias. They believed in the providential guidance of the universe, in angels, in reward and punishment in the world to come, and in resurrection of the dead, all of which were opposed by the Sadducees. They should not have been kings in the first place and then they became corrupted by their own power. They use this vial to light the menorah and miraculously it stays lit for eight days, by which time fresh pure oil has been pressed and delivered to the Temple. Inviting the Romans in is not like inviting a multi-national peace-keeping force or international mediation team. The Pharisees stressed the importance of performing all the commandments, including those that appeared to be of only minor significance; those who were particularly strict in their observance of the Levitical rules were known as averim (companions). He is more than happy to oblige and move his armies into Israel. What was the Maccabean Revolt? - CompellingTruth.org 1) Perhaps the greatest irony of the legacy of the Maccabees is what is named after them today: The Maccabiah Games. The Greeks are trying to march their armies up the natural canyons that lead into the mountain areas, the stronghold of the Jewish army. In any event, the Maccabees soon reached a modus vivendi with Hellenism: thus, Jonathan (died 143/142 bce), according to the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (c. 38c. Mirah refers to Judah Maccabee in her song "Jerusalem". Many Jews embraced Greek language, philosophy, and customs, leading to conflicts between those embracing Hellenism and traditional Jewish practices. Such numbers represent a considerable increase from previous eras and must have included large numbers of proselytes. Opposition to the priests oppressive rule arose among an urban middle-class group known as scribes (soferim), who based their interpretation of and instruction in the Torah on an oral tradition probably going back to the time of the return from the Babylonian Exile (538 bce and after). At the battle of Nahal el-Haramiah (wadi haramia), he defeated a small Seleucid force under the command of Apollonius, governor of Samaria, who was killed. 11 In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow. The sources we have are not only unclear but, depending on how you read them, theyre even contradictory with one another.. This revolt of the Jews sets a precedent in human history. Church and Richmond Seeley. 23 He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures which he found. The Maccabean Revolt - World History Encyclopedia It is a rededication of the temple in Israel to remember what happened. From the spread of Hellenism, the Maccabean revolt, the establishment of the Hasmonean dynasty, and Roman rule, these factors contributed to the political, religious, and cultural climate from which Christianity emerged. 3. During the Counter-Reformation the passage was used by Catholics against Protestants in order to justify the doctrine of purgatory. In a battle near Adasa, on the 13th Adar 161 BCE, the Seleucid army was destroyed and Nicanor was killed. The Maccabees made light work of Seron with the backing of the Most High (1 Maccabees 3:14-26). The miracle of the oil lasting for eight days (which is not mentioned in the Book of the Maccabees) is described in the Talmud: and when the royal Hasmonean House gained the upper hand and vanquished them. b. Ruth. Today, the Jews call this feast Hanukkah. He is largely Hellenized and siding with the Sadducees (the Jews who only follow the Written Torah, making up their own interpretations) against the Pharisees (the mainstream Jews). Miracle of the cruse of oil - Wikipedia So what tribe were the Maccabees from? On receipt of the news of Nicanor's defeat, he dispatched a new army, again commanded by Bacchides. By signing up you are agreeing to our, The Long History of Conflict Between Russia and Turkey, How We Can Learn to Live with COVID-19 After Vaccinations, 2023 TIME USA, LLC. a. Esther. And as you know today, the 25th of December which is about the same time as the 9th month in the Hebrew is when Christmas is celebrated ( A pagan unbiblical celebration). (I Maccabees 2:19-22), But there is a Hellenized Jew in the town who is willing to do what is unspeakable in Jewish eyes. Final Exam-Hebrew Scriptures Flashcards | Quizlet Led by a family of Jewish priests, the Maccabees, the revolt commenced in 167 BC. When in 198 Palestine was conquered by King Antiochus III (reigned 223187 bce) of the Syrian Seleucid dynasty, the Jews were treated even more liberally, being granted a charter to govern themselves by their own constitutionnamely, the Torah. View history Al HaNissim prayer, said every Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle Miracle of the cruse of oil ( Hebrew: ) or the Miracle of Hanukkah is an Aggadah depicted in the Babylonian Talmud [1] as one of the reasons for Hanukkah. Davidic line - Wikipedia The year is 63 BCE and the great Roman general Pompeii is cleaning up the last of the Greek Empire. Meanwhile, another book called Second Maccabees has a very different story. What the Bible says about Judah sent his brother, Simeon, to Galilee at the head of 3,000 men; Simeon was successful, achieving numerous victories. 2. The origin of Hanukkah is traced back to the Maccabean Revolt. The late medieval French artist Jean Fouquet painted an illustration of Judah triumphing over his enemies for his famous manuscript of Josephus. We know the details of the Jewish fight against the Greeks and Hellenism from the two Books of the Maccabees as well as the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus. We are also warned within the book of apocrypha that the gentiles put their images within the books of scripture. In the early days of the rebellion, Judah received a surname Maccabee. Judah Maccabee (or Judas Maccabeus, also spelled Machabeus, or Maccabus, Hebrew: , Yehudah HaMakabi) was a Jewish priest and a son of the priest Mattathias.He led the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire (167-160 BCE).. Lysias skirted Judea as he had done in his first campaign, entering it from the south, and besieged Beth-Zur. In Israel, not far from Beit Shemesh, there is a fascinating archeological site open to tourists called Beit Guvrin Maresha. According to the Bible, David, of the Tribe of Judah, was . Check here if you would like to receive subscription offers and other promotions via email from TIME group companies. (The relationship between the Jews and the Romans actually began during the Maccabian Revolt when Judah Maccabee made an alliance with Rome). The intertestamental period sets the stage for the New Testament. 20 And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude. Was The Maccabean Revolt successful? The Meaning Of Maccabees The modern play Playing Dreidel with Judah Maccabee by Edward Einhorn is about a contemporary boy who meets the historical figure.[9]. Thus, during the time of Christ, Jews lived in the land and even worshipped in the Second Temple, but they did not really possess the land because it was under Roman jurisdiction. Judas Maccabeus - Wikipedia The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment Sign up for the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. But Simon also takes on himself the title of nasi meaning prince/president/leader. He did not call himself king because he knew full well that a Jewish king could only come from the line of David, but for all practical purposes they assumed the role of kingship. The conflict between the Hellenists and the Hasidim came to a climax during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C. 29 And after two years fully expired the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Juda, who came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude. Personal Growth c. Song of Songs. The family of Mattathias and Judah ruled until the rise of the Herods in 63 BC. To understand this revolt, one needs to know what happened between the history recorded in the biblical account and these events circa 167 BC. The Catholic Bible includes the Apocrypha books. Those who join Mattathias and his five sonsnamed Yohanan, Shimon, Judah, Eleazar, Yonatonhead for the hills, expecting that the Greeks are going to come back and wipe out the whole village as a reprisal. Makabi is literally translated as the Hammer in English. (The Hebrew word Chanukah means dedication or inauguration.), Early in the morning of the 25th day of the ninth month which is the month of Kislevthey [the priests] rose and offered sacrifices, as the law directs, on the new alter of burnt offerings which they had builtit was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbalsSo they celebrated the dedication of the alter for eight days(I Maccabees 4:52-56). 37 Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it: 38 Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her; and her own children left her. Alcimus fled from Jerusalem and went to the Seleucid king, asking for help. The Talmud and the Miracle of Oil. In Christianity, the New Testament follows the line through Mary and Joseph to Jesus.. The date that signifies the height of this wickedness was the 25th of the 9th month which is very close to the date of Christmas today i.e. 44 Then was the congregation gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy and compassion. William Houghton's Judas Maccabaeus, performed in about 1601 but now lost, is thought to have been the first drama on the theme; however, Judas Macabeo, an early comedia by crucial Spanish playwright Pedro Caldern de la Barca is extant. However, in finding a modus vivendi with Hellenism, at least in form and in terminology, the Pharisees did not differ greatly from the Sadducees. Again, the parallels between Hellenistic rhetoric and rabbinic hermeneutics are in the realm of terminology rather than of substance, and those between Roman and Talmudic law are inconclusive. It is not until the end of the 4th century, however, that Jews are first mentioned by Greek writers, who praise them as brave, self-disciplined, and philosophical. 13 Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the heathen: 14 Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen: 15 And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief. Maccabean Revolt. However, neither Israel nor Judah has truly possessed the land since the time of their respective captivities. One of the Idumean families that is forcibly converted will become very significant for its role in the drama some years later when the Romans invade. 11. Some modern scholars have sought to interpret the Pharisees opposition to the Sadduceeswealthy, conservative Jews who accepted the Torah alone as authoritativeas based on an urban-rural dichotomy, but a very large share of Pharisaic concern was with agricultural matters. What happened in the intertestamental period? - NCESC One of their acts of war was the desecration of the Israelite Temple in Jerusalem, an act that angered Judas Maccabees. Today you will find out who the Maccabees were and the famous Maccabean revolt which is popularly mentioned and why it happened. He accordingly assembled a new and larger army and marched with it on Judea from the south via Idumea. 56 And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire. David C. Grabbe The apocryphal writer Jesus ben Sirach so bitterly denounced the Hellenizers in Jerusalem (c. 180 bce) that he was forced by the authorities to temper his words. Perhaps the most famous part of the story is what happened next: a tiny jar of oil kept the . Exploring this period enhances our understanding of the socio-political and religious landscape during biblical times and offers valuable insights into the birth of Christianity. It has been conjectured that one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, The War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness, mirrors the fierceness of this struggle. The intertestamental period witnessed the growing Jewish diaspora, with Jewish communities spreading throughout the Mediterranean region and beyond. The Maccabess also defeated all these generals as a result Lysias retreated and sent even more men (1 Maccabees 4:1-35). 34 And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein. After Alexander the Great conquered Medo-Persia, the Greeks became the new overseers of the Land of Promise. On the one hand, the picture of normative Judaism is broader than at first believed, and it is clear that there were many differences of emphasis within the Pharisaic party. Today we refer to these events as the Maccabean Revolt, named after the Jewish leader, Judah Maccabee.