The Historical Background
of Hellenism
and why we celebrate Hannukah
for 8 days
Babylonians 605 – 539 BCE
Persians 539 – 332 BCE
Hellenistic Rule
Alexander 332 BCE
Ptolemies 301 – 200 BCE
Seleucids 200 – 142 BCE
Hasmonean Rule 142 – 63 BCE
Romans 63 BCE –395 CE
Important Dates
► 586
BCE Destruction of Bet haMikdash I
► 539 BCE Cyrus destroys Babylonia, decrees that
Jews can return
► 520-516 BCE Rebuilding of Bet haMikdash II
‫ ִׂמן הַ ּיֹום הַ זֶ ה ו ָָמ ְעלָ ה ִׂמּיֹום‬,‫יח – ִׂשימּו נָא ְלבַ ְבכֶם‬:‫► חגי ב‬
‫הוָה‬-‫יֻסַ ד הֵ יכַל ְי‬-‫הַ ּיֹום אֲ ֶשר‬-‫ ְל ִׂמן‬,‫יעי‬
ִׂ ‫עֶ ְש ִׂרים וְאַ ְרבָ עָ ה לַ ְת ִׂש‬
.‫ִׂשימּו ְלבַ ְבכֶם‬
► 5th century – Ezra and Nehemiah
► 332 BCE Alexander the Great conquers Judea and
Persian Empire
Alexander the Great
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQfBinQwPGs&feature=email
Alexander the Macedonian
Josephus, Antiquities, 11.329
And when he understood that he was not far from the city, he went out in procession, with
the priests and the multitude of the citizens. The procession was venerable, and the
manner of it different from that of other nations. It reached to a place called Sapha, which
name, translated into Greek, signifies a prospect, for you have thence a prospect both of
Jerusalem and of the temple. And when the Phoenicians and the Chaldeans that followed
him thought they should have liberty to plunder the city, and torment the high priest to
death, which the king's displeasure fairly promised them, the very reverse of it happened;
for Alexander, when he saw the multitude at a distance, in white garments, while the
priests stood clothed with fine linen, and the high priest in purple and scarlet clothing, with
his mitre on his head, having the golden plate whereon the name of God was engraved, he
approached by himself, and adored that name, and first saluted the high priest.
► The Jews also did all together, with one voice, salute Alexander, and encompass him
about; whereupon the kings of Syria and the rest were surprised at what Alexander had
done, and supposed him disordered in his mind. However, Parmenio alone went up to him,
and asked him how it came to pass that, when all others adored him, he should adore the
high priest of the Jews? To whom he replied, "I did not adore him, but that God who hath
honored him with his high priesthood; for I saw this very person in a dream, in this very
habit, when I was at Dios in Macedonia, who, when I was considering with myself how I
might obtain the dominion of Asia, exhorted me to make no delay, but boldly to pass over
the sea thither, for that he would conduct my army, and would give me the dominion over
the Persians; whence it is that, having seen no other in that habit, and now seeing this
person in it, and remembering that vision, and the exhortation which I had in my dream, I
believe that I bring this army under the Divine conduct, and shall therewith conquer Darius,
and destroy the power of the Persians, and that all things will succeed according to what is
in my own mind."
►
Josephus, cont…
►
And when he had said this to Parmenio, and had given the high priest his right
hand, the priests ran along by him, and he came into the city. And when he went
up into the temple, he offered sacrifice to God, according to the high priest's
direction, and magnificently treated both the high priest and the priests. And
when the Book of Daniel was showed him wherein Daniel declared that one of
the Greeks should destroy the empire of the Persians, he supposed that himself
was the person intended. And as he was then glad, he dismissed the multitude
for the present; but the next day he called them to him, and bid them ask what
favors they pleased of him; whereupon the high priest desired that they might
enjoy the laws of their forefathers, and might pay no tribute on the seventh
year. He granted all they desired. And when they entreared him that he would
permit the Jews in Babylon and Media to enjoy their own laws also, he willingly
promised to do hereafter what they desired. And when he said to the multitude,
that if any of them would enlist themselves in his army, on this condition, that
they should continue under the laws of their forefathers, and live according to
them, he was willing to take them with him, many were ready to accompany him
in his wars.
‫בבלי יומא פט ע"א (מינכין ‪)6‬‬
‫תא שמע בגדי כהנה היוצא בהן למדינה אסור ובמקדש בין בשעת עבודה בין שלא‬
‫בשעת עבודה מותר מפני שבגדי כהנה ניתנו ליהנות בהן שמע מינה והיוצא בהן‬
‫למדינה אסור‬
‫והתניא בעשרין וחד ביה יום הר גרזים די לא למספד יום שבקשו כותיים את בית‬
‫אלהינו מאלכסנדרוס מקדון ונתנו להן באו והודיעו את שמעון הצדיק מה עשה לבש‬
‫בגדי כהנה ונתעטף בבגדי כהנה ויקרי ירושלם עמו ואבוקות של אור דולקות לפניהן‬
‫והלילה כלו הללו מהלכין מצד זה והללו מהלכין מצד זה אמ' להן מי הם אלו אמרו‬
‫לו יהודים שמרדו בך כיון שהגיעו לאנטיפטרס זרחה חמה ופגעו זה בזה כיון שראה‬
‫את שמעון הצדיק ירד מעל מרכבתו והשתחוה לו אמרו לו מלך גדול שכמותך‬
‫ישתחוה ליהודי זה אמ' להן דמות דיוקנו של זה מנצחת לפני בבית מלחמתי אמ'‬
‫להן למה באתם אמרו לו מקום שאנו מתפללים בו עליך ועל מלכותך שלא תחרב‬
‫יתעוך גוים הללו ותתנו להן אמ' להן ומי הם אלו אמרו לו כותיים שעומדין לפניך אמ'‬
‫להן הרי הן מסורין בידכם מיד נקבום בעיקביהן ותלאום בזנבי סוסיהן והיו גוררין‬
‫אותן על הקוצין ועל הברקנין עד שהגיעו להר גריזים כיון שהגיעו להר גרזים‬
‫חרשוהו וזרעוהו כרשנין כדרך שבקשו לעשות את בית אלהינו ואותו היום עשאוהו‬
‫יום טוב‬
‫איבעית אימא בגדים הראוין לכהנה איבעית אימא עת לעשות לייי הפרו תורתך‬
Bavli Yoma 69a
Come and hear: As to priestly garments, it is forbidden to go out in them in the province, but in
the Sanctuary whether during or outside the time of the service, it is permitted to wear them,
because priestly garments are permitted for private use. This is conclusive. But in the province [it
is] not [permitted]? Surely it was taught: The twenty-fifth of Tebeth is the day of Mount Gerizim,
on which no mourning is permitted. It is the day on which the Cutheans demanded the House of
our God from Alexander the Macedonian so as to destroy it, and he had given them the
permission, whereupon some people came and informed Simeon the Just. What did the latter do?
He put on his priestly garments, robed himself in priestly garments, some of the noblemen of
Israel went with him carrying fiery torches in their hands, they walked all the night, some walking
on one side and others on the other side, until the dawn rose. When the dawn rose he
[Alexander] said to them: Who are these [the Samaritans]? They answered: The Jews who
rebelled against you. As he reached Antipatris, the sun having shone forth, they met.
When he saw Simeon the Just, he descended from his carriage and bowed down before him.
They said to him: A great king like yourself should bow down before this Jew? He answered: His
image it is which wins for me in all my battles. He said to them: What have you come for? They
said: Is it possible that star-worshippers should mislead you to destroy the House wherein
prayers are said for you and your kingdom that it be never destroyed! He said to them: Who are
these? They said to him: These are Cutheans who stand before you. He said: They are delivered
into your hand. At once they perforated their heels, tied them to the tails of their horses and
dragged them over thorns and thistles, until they came to Mount Gerizim, which they ploughed
and planted with vetch, even as they had planned to do with the House of God. And that day
they made a festive day. If you like say: They were fit to be priestly garments, or, if you like, say:
It is time to work for the Lord: they have made void Thy law.
Unifying the Empire
Alexander encouraged intermarriages, setting an
example by marrying a Persian princess himself.
He placed soldiers from all the provinces in his
army. He introduced a uniform currency system
throughout the empire and promoted trade and
commerce. He encouraged the spread of Greek
ideas, customs, and laws into Asia. When he heard
that some of his provincial officials ruled unjustly,
he replaced them. To receive recognition as the
supreme ruler, he required the provinces to
worship him as a god.
Arrian of Nicomedia on
Weddings at Susa
Then he also celebrated weddings at Susa, both his own and those of his
Companions. He himself married Barsine, the eldest of Darius' daughters, and,
according to Aristobulus, another girl as well, Parysatis, the youngest of the
daughters of Ochus. He had already married previously Roxane, the daughter of
Oxyartes of Bactria.
► He gave Drypetis to Hephaestion, she too a daughter of Darius and a sister of his
own wife; his intention was that the children of Hephaestion should be cousins to
his own children. To Craterus he gave Amastris daughter of Oxyathres, brother of
Darius, and to Perdiccas the daughter of Atropates, satrap of Media. To Ptolemy
the bodyguard and to Eumenes the royal secretary he gave the daughters of
Artabazus, Artacama to one and Artonis to the other. To Nearchus he gave the
daughter of Barsine and Mentor, and to Seleucus the daughter of Spitamenes of
Bactria. Similarly he gave to the other Companions the noblest daughters of the
Persians and Medes, some eighty in all.
► The marriages were celebrated according to Persian custom. Chairs were placed
for the bridegrooms in order, and after the drinks the brides came in and sat
down, each by the side of her groom. They took them by the hand and kissed
them; the king began the ceremony, for all the weddings took place together.
More than any action of Alexander this seemed to show a popular and comradely
spirit. The bridegrooms after receiving their brides led them away, each to his
own home, and to all Alexander gave a dowry. And as for all the Macedonians
who had already married Asian women, Alexander ordered a list of their names to
be drawn up; they numbered over 10,000, and Alexander offered them all gifts
their wedding.
►
From Hellenism to the
Hasmoneans
The New York Times
12/11/09 – David Brooks
► Tonight
Jewish kids will light the menorah,
spin their dreidels and get their presents,
but Hanukkah is the most adult of holidays.
It commemorates an event in which the
good guys did horrible things, the bad guys
did good things and in which everybody is
flummoxed by insoluble conflicts that
remain with us today.
High Priests
Sadok
Shimon ha-Sadiq
Onias III
Meneleus (171-161)
Jason (Yehoshua) (175-171)
Jonathan the Hasmonean
Hellenistic Period
►
►
332BCE Alexander the Great conquers Palestine
323BCE Alexander dies
 Diadochi, Ptolemy in Egypt, Seleucus in Syria
►
301-201BCE Ptolemaic Rule
 Allowed to continue as semiautonomous
201BCE Seleucid conquest of Palestine
► 175-171BCE Jason High Priest
►
 bribes Antiochus IV for high priesthood
 builds gymnasium in Jerusalem which becomes a polis – “Antioch”
►
171-162BCE Menelaus High Priest
 Converts temple into pagan shrine, YHVH=Zeus=Baal Shamin
►
►
►
168BCE – Bet haMikdash is looted, Jews are massacred
167-166 Antiochus IV decrees persecution
164 Judah conquers Jerusalem and rededicates the
Temple
Victor Tcherikover
Hellenistic Civilization and the Jews
The principles introduced by Joseph the Tobiad into
Judaea are now clear. They were the principles of the
Hellenistic epoch as a whole, dominated by the striving of
the strong personality to make its way in life. Joseph’s
character manifests those basic traits so typical of a
number of Greeks of the period: immense willpower,
rapidity of action, self-confidence and, resulting from
them, undisguised contempt for ancestral tradition.
Through quiet unchanging Jerusalem, new winds were
suddenly blowing, as if a window had been suddenly
thrown open to reveal all the wealth and splendor of the
wide world, a world where power and money reigned
supreme, annulling religious, national and moral tradition.
Why did Antiochus Persecute the
Jews?
1.
He was crazy, nervous, eccentric.
May have hastened the persecution but not
caused it.
2.
He was a Great Hellenizer and unifier
But only for political ends by making poleis, not
cultural.
3.
4.
The Jewish Hellenizers asked for the
decrees.
Decrees result from a civil war.
1 Maccabees ch. 2
► 23
There came a certain Jew in the sight of all to
sacrifice to the idols upon the altar in the city of
Modin, according to the king's commandment. 24
And Mathathias saw and was grieved, and his
reins trembled, and his wrath was kindled
according to the judgment of the law, and running
upon him he slew him upon the altar. 25 Moreover
the man whom king Antiochus had sent, who
compelled them to sacrifice, he slew at the same
time, and pulled down the altar. 26 And showed
zeal for the law, as Phinees did by Zamri the son
of Salomi.
I Maccabees 1:11
► In
those days there appeared in Israel men
who were breakers of the law, and
► they seduced many people, saying: "Let us
go and make an alliance with the Gentiles
all around us; since we separated from
them, many evils have come upon us.“
► Cf.
Jer 44:18
► What
is Hellenism?
► Why did Antiochus persecute the Jews?
► Why do we celebrate for 8 days?
► Why do we celebrate on Kislev 25th?
► What can Hanukka mean for us today?
Why is Hanukah on
Kislev 25?
‫‪Megilat Ta’anit‬‬
‫► בעשרים ושלושה במרחשון נסתר הסורג מן העזרה‪.‬‬
‫מפני שבנו שם גוים מקום‪ ,‬והעמידו עליו את הזונות‪.‬‬
‫וכשתקפה יד בית חשמונאי נטלוהו מהן‪ ,‬וסתרוהו‪ ,‬ומצאו שם‬
‫אבנים טובות‪ ,‬ונמנו עליהן וגנזו אותן‪ .‬והן מונחות עד היום‬
‫הזה‪ ,‬עד שיבוא אליהו ויעיד עליהן אם טמאות הן אם‬
‫טהורות‪.‬‬
‫יום שסתרוהו עשאוהו יום טוב‪.‬‬
‫► בשלושה בכסליו ניטלו הפסלים מן החצר‬
‫מפני שבנו שם גוים סימואתא‪ ,‬וכשגברה יד בית חשמונאי‬
‫בטלום והוציאום משם‪.‬‬
‫יום שבטלום עשאוהו יום טוב‪.‬‬
Haggai 2:18
‫הַ ּיֹום הַ זֶ ה ו ָָמ ְעלָ ה; ִׂמּיֹום עֶ ְש ִׂרים‬-‫ ִׂמן‬,‫נָא ְלבַ ְבכֶם‬-‫► ִׂשימּו‬
‫הוָה‬-‫יֻסַ ד הֵ יכַל ְי‬-‫הַ ּיֹום אֲ ֶשר‬-‫ ְל ִׂמן‬,‫יעי‬
ִׂ ‫וְאַ ְרבָ עָ ה לַ ְת ִׂש‬
.‫ִׂשימּו ְלבַ ְבכֶם‬
► Consider, I pray you, from this day and
forward, from the four and twentieth day of
the ninth month, even from the day that the
foundation of Hashem’s temple was laid,
consider it.
I Maccabees 1
►
54 Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one
hundred forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating
sacrilege on the altar of burnt offering. They also built
altars in the surrounding towns of Judah, 55and offered
incense at the doors of the houses and in the
streets. 56The books of the law that they found they tore
to pieces and burned with fire. 57Anyone found possessing
the book of the covenant, or anyone who adhered to the
law, was condemned to death by decree of the
king. 58They kept using violence against Israel, against
those who were found month after month in the
towns. 59On the twenty-fifth day of the month they
offered sacrifice on the altar that was on top of the altar of
burnt offering.
‫‪Winter Solstice Holiday‬‬
‫תלמוד בבלי מסכת עבודה זרה דף ח עמוד א‬
‫► גמ'‪ .‬אמר רב חנן בר רבא‪ :‬קלנדא ‪ -‬ח' ימים אחר תקופה‪ ,‬סטרנורא‬
‫ ח' ימים לפני תקופה‪ ,‬וסימנך‪( :‬תהלים קלט) אחור וקדם צרתני‬‫וגו'‪.‬‬
‫► ת"ר‪ :‬לפי שראה אדם הראשון יום שמתמעט והולך‪ ,‬אמר‪ :‬אוי לי‪,‬‬
‫שמא בשביל שסרחתי עולם חשוך בעדי וחוזר לתוהו ובוהו‪ ,‬וזו היא‬
‫מיתה שנקנסה עלי מן השמים‪ ,‬עמד וישב ח' ימים בתענית‬
‫[ובתפלה]‪ ,‬כיון שראה תקופת טבת וראה יום שמאריך והולך‪ ,‬אמר‪:‬‬
‫מנהגו של עולם הוא‪ ,‬הלך ועשה שמונה ימים טובים‪ ,‬לשנה האחרת‬
‫עשאן לאלו ולאלו ימים טובים‪ ,‬הוא קבעם לשם שמים‪ ,‬והם קבעום‬
‫לשם עבודת כוכבים‪ .‬בשלמא למ"ד‪ :‬בתשרי נברא העולם‪ ,‬יומי זוטי‬
‫חזא‪ ,‬יומי אריכי אכתי לא חזא; אלא למ"ד‪ :‬בניסן נברא העולם‪ ,‬הא‬
‫חזא ליה יומי זוטי ויומי אריכי! [דהוי] זוטי כולי האי לא חזא‪.‬‬
‫► ת"ר‪ :‬יום שנברא בו אדם הראשון‪ ,‬כיון ששקעה עליו חמה‪ ,‬אמר‪ :‬אוי‬
‫לי‪ ,‬שבשביל שסרחתי עולם חשוך בעדי ויחזור עולם לתוהו ובוהו‪,‬‬
‫וזו היא מיתה שנקנסה עלי מן השמים‪ ,‬היה יושב [בתענית] ובוכה‬
‫כל הלילה וחוה בוכה כנגדו‪ ,‬כיון שעלה עמוד השחר‪ ,‬אמר‪ :‬מנהגו‬
‫של עולם הוא ‪.‬‬
Winter Solstice
►
►
Babylonian Talmud, Avodah Zara 8a
Our Rabbis taught: When Adam saw the day getting
gradually shorter, he said, ‘Woe is me, perhaps
because I have sinned, the world around me is
being darkened and returning to its state of chaos
and confusion; this then is the kind of death to
which I have been sentenced from Heaven!’ So he
began keeping an eight days’ fast. But as he
observed the winter solstice and noted the day
getting increasingly longer, he said, ‘This is the
world's course’, and he set forth to keep an eight
days’ festivity. In the following year he appointed
both as festivals. Now, he fixed them for the sake of
Heaven, but the [heathens] appointed them for the
sake of idolatry.
Why is Hanukah 8 Days?
Josephus is in the “Dark”
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 12:7
► Now Judas celebrated the festival of the restoration of the
sacrifices of the temple for eight days, and omitted no sort of
pleasures thereon; but he feasted them upon very rich and
splendid sacrifices; and he honored God, and delighted them
by hymns and psalms. Nay, they were so very glad at the
revival of their customs, when, after a long time of
intermission, they unexpectedly had regained the freedom of
their worship, that they made it a law for their posterity, that
they should keep a festival, on account of the restoration of
their temple worship, for eight days. And from that time to
this we celebrate this festival, and call it Lights. I suppose the
reason was, because this liberty beyond our hopes appeared
to us; and that thence was the name given to that festival.
Judas also rebuilt the walls round about the city, and reared
towers of great height against the incursions of enemies, and
set guards therein. He also fortified the city Bethsura, that it
might serve as a citadel against any distresses that might
come from our enemies.
‫‪Lit for Eight Days‬‬
‫► תלמוד בבלי מסכת שבת דף כא עמוד ב‬
‫► מאי חנוכה? דתנו רבנן‪ :‬בכ"ה בכסליו יומי דחנוכה תמניא‬
‫אינון‪ ,‬דלא למספד בהון ודלא להתענות בהון‪ .‬שכשנכנסו‬
‫יוונים להיכל טמאו כל השמנים שבהיכל‪ ,‬וכשגברה מלכות‬
‫בית חשמונאי ונצחום‪ ,‬בדקו ולא מצאו אלא פך אחד של שמן‬
‫שהיה מונח בחותמו של כהן גדול‪ ,‬ולא היה בו אלא להדליק‬
‫יום אחד‪ ,‬נעשה בו נס והדליקו ממנו שמונה ימים‪ .‬לשנה‬
‫אחרת קבעום ועשאום ימים טובים בהלל והודאה‪.‬‬
►
What is [the reason of] Hanukkah? For our Rabbis taught:
On the twenty-fifth of Kislev [commence] the days of
Hanukkah, which are eight on which a lamentation for the
dead and fasting are forbidden. For when the Greeks
entered the Temple, they defiled all the oils therein, and
when the Hasmonean dynasty prevailed against and
defeated them, they made search and found only one
cruse of oil which lay with the seal of the High Priest, but
which contained sufficient for one day's lighting only; yet a
miracle was wrought therein and they lit [the lamp]
therewith for eight days. The following year these [days]
were appointed a Festival with [the recital of] Hallel and
thanksgiving.
‫‪Eight Metal Spits‬‬
‫► פסיקתא רבתי (איש שלום) פרשה ב ד"ה ילמדנו‬
‫רבינו נר‬
‫► ולמה מדליק נרות בחנוכה אלא בשעה שנצחו בניו‬
‫של חשמונאי הכהן הגדול למלכות יון שנאמר‬
‫ועוררת בניך ציון על בניך יון (זכריה ט' י"ג) נכנסו‬
‫לבית המקדש מצאו שם שמונה שפודין של ברזל‬
‫וקבעו אותם והדליקו בתוכם נרות‪,‬‬
► II
Maccabees 2:12 - Solomon also
celebrated the feast in the same way for
eight days.
Like Sukkoth
II Maccabees 10
Now Maccabeus and his followers, the Lord leading them on, recovered the
temple and the city; 2. they tore down the altars that had been built in the
public square by the foreigners, and also destroyed the sacred precincts. 3.
They purified the sanctuary, and made another altar of sacrifice; then, striking
fire out of flint, they offered sacrifices, after a lapse of two years, and they
offered incense and lighted lamps and set out the bread of the Presence.
4. When they had done this, they fell prostrate and implored the Lord that
they might never again fall into such misfortunes, but that, if they should ever
sin, they might be disciplined by him with forbearance and not be handed over
to blasphemous and barbarous nations. 5. It happened that on the same day
on which the sanctuary had been profaned by the foreigners, the purification
of the sanctuary took place, that is, on the twenty-fifth day of the same
month, which was Chislev.
6. They celebrated it for eight days with rejoicing, in the manner of the festival
of booths, remembering how not long before, during the festival of booths,
they had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild animals. 7.
Therefore, carrying ivy-wreathed wands and beautiful branches and also
fronds of palm, they offered hymns of thanksgiving to him who had given
success to the purifying of his own holy place. 8. They decreed by public edict,
ratified by vote, that the whole nation of the Jews should observe these days
every year. 9. Such then was the end of Antiochus, who was called
Epiphanes.
‫בבלי שבת כא ע"ב‬
►
Our Rabbis taught: The precept of Hanukkah [demands]
one light for a man and his household; the zealous [kindle]
a light for each member [of the household]; and the
extremely zealous, — Beth Shammai maintain: On the first
day eight lights are lit and thereafter they are gradually
reduced, but Beth Hillel say: On the first day one is lit and
thereafter they are progressively increased. ‘Ulla said: In
the West [Palestine] two amoraim, R. Jose b. Abin and R.
Jose b. Zebida, differ therein: one maintains, The reason of
Beth Shammai is that it shall correspond to the days still to
come, and that of Beth Hillel is that it shall correspond to
the days that are gone; but another maintains: Beth
Shammai's reason is that it shall correspond to the bullocks
of the Festival; whilst Beth Hillel's reason is that we
promote in [matters of] sanctity but do not reduce.
2 Maccabees 6:7
► On
the monthly celebration of the king’s
birthday, the Jews were taken, under bitter
constraint, to partake of the sacrifices; and
when a festival of Dionysus was celebrated,
they were compelled to wear wreaths of ivy
and to walk in the procession in honor
Dionysus.
Teetotum
►
The original medieval dice used in Germany by gamblers
was inscribed with the four letters: N, G, H, and S, which
are the initials:




Nichts (“nothing”),
Ganz (“all”),
Halb (“half”), and
Stellein (“put in”).
– Encyclopedia Judaica “Folklore”
Kedushefy
► Winter
Solstice becomes religious day of
hope and trust in Hashem.
► Celebration of lights becomes symbol of
Hashem’s providence even in times of
darkness.
► Ivy bands for Dionysis become part of
rededication celebration.
► European gambling game becomes symbol
of perseverance.
Antiochus IV Epiphanes
From the Hasmoneans
to Roman Revolt
Hasmonean
Dynasty
1. Mattathias
ben Johanan
[ ? - 165 BCE]
____
_
|
_____________
__
_
|
____
________|____
__
|
|
Mattathias
Judah
[ ?-134 BCE]
|
6. Aristobulus I
(Judah)
[ruled 104-103 BCE]
______
|
3. Jonathan
Apphus
[ruled 160-142
BCE]
Elephant
fell on him
__________
|
5. Johanan
Hyrcanus
[ ?- 134 BCE]
________
_
Eleazar
Avaron
[ ? - 160 BCE]
_
________________
|
2. Judah
Maccabee
[ruled 142-134 BCE]
_
_
|
4. Simon
Thassi
Johanan
Gaddi
__________|_____
___
[ruled 134-104 BCE]
_
__________|_____
___
_
|
|
Antigonus
(Matthew)
7. Alexander Jannai
(Jonathan)
[ ? - 104 BCE]
__________
________
[ruled 103-76 BCE]
_
|
10. Hyrcanus II
(Jonathan)
9. Aristobulus II
(Judah)
|
Alexandra
8. Salome
Alexandra
[ruled 76-67 BCE]
________|
|
[ruled 63-40 (d. 30) BCE]
=
[ruled 67-63 (d. 49) BCE]
|_______
|
Alexander
___
_
|
11. Antigonus
Judah the Maccabee
► 167-160
BCE
► Led the revolt against
the Seleucids
► Purified the Temple in
164 BCE
Jonathan
► Ruler
161-143 BCE
► Brother of Judah
► first Hasmonean to be
High Priest in 153 BCE
Simon
Ethnarch and High Priest
► 142-135 BCE
► Is granted tax exemption
from Demetrius II
► Removes Seleucid garrison
in Jerusalem
► Gains total political
independence
► Murdered by his son-in-law
together with two older
sons
►
John Hyrcanus
► Ethnarch
and High
Priest
► Son of Simon
► 134-104 BCE
► Forced the Idumeans
to convert (including
Antipater’s father,
grandfather of Herod)
► Destroys Samaritan
Temple in 128BCE
‫)‪of John Hyrcanus (135-104 BCE‬‬
‫► יהונתן הכהן הגדול וחבר היהודים‬
‫‪► Coin‬‬
‫כתב עברי‬
Paleo-Hebrew
Double Perutah coin of John Hyrcanus.
Pair of cornucopiae and a crested helmet.
Reads: “Yehochanan the High Priest and Leader
of the Community of the Jews.”
Bar Kokhba Coin
Front: the Aron in the middle and star above. “‫”שמעון‬
Back: Lulav. “‫ “לחרות ירושלם‬in Ketav Ivri (Ancient Hebrew script)
Bar Kokhba Coin
► Front:
Trumpets. "‫"לחרות ירושלים‬
► Back: Lyre. "‫"ש[נה] ב לחר[ות] ישראל‬
Judah Aristobulus I
► King
and High Priest
► 104-103BCE
► Son of John Hyrcanus
► First to call himself
king
► Imprisons mother and
three brothers. Kills
another brother.
► Married to Salome
Alexandra
‫‪of Judah Aristobulus‬‬
‫► יהודה הכהן הגדול וחבר היהודים‬
‫‪► Coin‬‬
Alexander Yannai
► King
and High Priest
► 103-76 BCE
► Son of John Hyrcanus
► Married Salome Alexandra,
his brother’s widow
► Practiced Sadduecean law
and was pelted by Etrogim.
Kills 6,000 Jews in
retaliations.
► Killed 50,000 in civil war.
► Crucified 800 Pharisees
► Advises his wife before dying
to yield to the Pharisees!
‫‪Alexander Yannai‬‬
‫"יהונתן הכהן הגדול וחבר‬
‫היהודים"‬
► Sun
wheel, “‫“יהונתן המלך‬
► Anchor, “King Alexander” in Greek
► Flower
and Anchor
with “King Yannai”
► Restamped with
“Yonatan the High
Priest and the
Community of the
Jews”
► Went back to original
type
Salome Alexandra & Sons
► Salome
is queen of Judea 76-67 BCE
► Her two sons Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus
II fight over the crown. Both appeal for
help from the Romans.
► Pompey imprisons Aristobulus II and
makes Hyrcanus II high priest in 63BCE.
► Hyrcanus serves 63-40BCE
► Antignos serves 40-37BCE
► Herod marries Mariamne, granddaughter
of Hyrcanus and Aristobulus.
Hasmonean
Conquests
_
|
|
Mattathias
Judah
[ ?-134 BCE]
|
5. Johanan
Hyrcanus
[ ?- 134 BCE]
________
|
6. Aristobulus I
(Judah)
[ruled 104-103 BCE]
[ruled 134-104 BCE]
_
__________|______
__
_
|
________
|
Antigonus
(Matthew)
7. Alexander Jannai
(Jonathan)
[ ? - 104 BCE]
[ruled 103-76 BCE]
__________
_
|
10. Hyrcanus II
(Jonathan)
9. Aristobulus II
(Judah)
[ruled 63-40 (d. 30) BCE]
[ruled 76-67 BCE]
[ruled 67-63 (d. 49) BCE]
|_______
|
|
[ ? - 28 BCE]
8. Salome
Alexandra
________|
|
Alexandra
=
____
|
11. Antigonus
(Matityahu
)
Alexander
=
[ ? - 49 BCE]
[ruled 40-37 BCE]
__________
Aristobulus III
[ ? - 35 BCE]
|
|
Mariamne
[ ? - 29 BCE]
________
=
12. Herod
(the Great)
[ruled 38-4 BCE]
|
_____
|
|
Aristobulus IV
Alexander
[ ca 31 - 7 BCE]
[ ca 30 - 7 BCE]
► Coin
of Mattathias
Antigonus (40-37BCE)
with Menorah and
Shulhan
‫‪Influences of Greco‬‬‫‪Roman Thought on the‬‬
‫‪Rabbis‬‬
‫תלמוד בבלי מסכת מגילה דף ט עמוד ב‬
‫אמר רבי חייא בר אבא‪ :‬היינו טעמא דכתיב‬
‫יפת אלהים ליפת –‬
‫יפיותו של יפת יהא באהלי שם‪.‬‬
‫‪Ben Zoma, Pirke Avot 4:1‬‬
‫► משנה מסכת אבות פרק ד משנה א‬
‫► בן זומא אומר איזהו חכם הלומד מכל אדם שנאמר (תהלים‬
‫קי"ט) מכל מלמדי השכלתי‬
‫► איזהו גבור הכובש את יצרו שנאמר (משלי טו ‪/‬טז‪ )/‬טוב ארך‬
‫אפים מגבור ומושל ברוחו מלוכד עיר‬
‫► איזהו עשיר השמח בחלקו שנאמר (תהלים קכ"ח) יגיע כפיך‬
‫כי תאכל אשריך וטוב לך אשריך בעולם הזה וטוב לך לעולם‬
‫הבא‬
‫► איזהו מכובד המכבד את הבריות שנאמר (שמואל א' ב') כי‬
‫מכבדי אכבד ובוזי יקלו ‪:‬‬
Quotes from Roman Writers
Who then is sane? He who’s no fool. (Horace [56-8BCE],
Satires, II.iii.158)
► Who then is free? The Sage who masters himself. (Horace,
Satires II.vii.83)
► To be content with one’s things are riches. (Cicero,
Paradoxa Stiocorum, 51)
► A noble thing is joyful poverty. (Seneca, Epistle II.5)
► Honoring the Sage is a great bonus to the honorers.
(Gnomologium Vaticanum, 32)
► Only the Sage is sane. Only the Sage is free. Only the Sage
is rich. (Cicero, pro Murena 60-66)
►
Kohelet Rabbah 5:14
AS HE CAME FORTH OF HIS MOTHER’ S WOMB [naked
shall he go back as he came, and shall take nothing for
his labor] (5:14). Genibah said: It is like a fox who found
a vineyard which was fenced in on all sides. There was
one hole through which he wanted to enter, but he was
unable to do so. What did he do? He fasted for three
days until he became lean and frail, and so got through
the hole. Then he ate [of the grapes] and became fat
again, so that when he wished to go out he could not
pass through at all. He again fasted another three days
until he became lean and frail, returning to his former
condition, and went out. When he was outside, he
turned his face and gazing at the vineyard, said, ' O
vineyard, O vineyard, how good are you and the fruits
inside! All that is inside is beautiful and commendable,
but what enjoyment has one from you? As one enters
you so he comes out.’ Such is this world.
Aesop’s Fables
A hungry fox spied some bread and meat left in a
hollow tree by some shepherds. He crawled in and
ate it, but his belly swelled so that he could not
get out again. As he moaned and groaned,
another fox passing by came up and asked what
was the matter. When he heard what had
happened, he said to the first fox: “I guess you’ll
just have to wait until you get back to the size you
were when you went in, and then you won’t have
any trouble getting out.” The story shows that
time overcomes difficulties.
More Fables
(Baba Kama 60b)
When R. Ammi and R. Assi were sitting before R. Isaac the Smith, one of them said to
him: ‘Will the Master please tell us some legal points?’ while the other said: ‘Will
the Master please give us some homiletical instruction?’
When he commenced a homiletical discourse he was prevented by the one, and when
he commenced a legal discourse he was prevented by the other. He therefore said
to them: I will tell you a parable:
To what is this like? To a man who has had two wives, one young and one old. The
young one used to pluck out his white hair, whereas the old one used to pluck out
his black hair. He thus finally remained bald on both sides. He further said to
them: I will accordingly tell you something which will be equally interesting to both
of you…
► (Aesop’s Fables)
In the old days, when men were allowed to have many wives, a middle-aged man
had one wife that was old and one that was young; each loved him very much,
and desired to see him like herself.
Now the Man's hair was turning grey, which the young Wife did not like, as it made
him look too old for her husband. So every night she used to comb his hair and
pick out the white ones.
But the elder Wife saw her husband growing grey with great pleasure, for she did not
like to be mistaken for his mother. So every morning she used to arrange his hair
and pick out as many of the black ones as she could. The consequence was the
man soon found himself entirely bald.
Yield to all and you will soon have nothing to yield.
►
Studying Greek
Rabban Gamaliel was given permission to
teach the students Greek due to the
relationship with the Romans.
(Tosefta Sot 15:8)
R. Gamaliel's son, Rabbi Simeon even said,
"There were a 1000 pupils in my father's
house; 500 studied the Torah and 500
studied Greek wisdom." (Bavli Sota 49b)
May a Jew study Greek?
‫ה"א‬/ ‫תלמוד ירושלמי מסכת פיאה פרק א דף טו טור ג‬
‫► שאלו את רבי יהושע מהו שילמד אדם את בנו יוונית אמר להם ילמדנו בשעה שאינה לא יום ולא‬
‫לילה דכתיב והגית בו יומם ולילה‬
‫► מעתה אסור לאדם ללמד את בנו אומנות בגין דכתיב והגית בו יומם ולילה‬
‫► והתני ר' ישמעאל ובחר' בחיים זו אומנות‬
‫► רבי בא בריה דרבי חייא בר ווא רבי חייא בשם רבי יוחנן מפני המסורות‬
‫► רבי אבהו בשם רבי יוחנן מותר לאדם ללמד את בתו יוונית מפני שהוא תכשיט לה‬
‫► שמע שמעון בר ווה אמר בגין דו בעה מלפה בנתיה הוא תלי ליה בר' יוחנן יבא עלי אם שמעתיה‬
‫מר' יוחנן‬
► They asked R. Yehoshua, May one teach his son Greek? He replied, he may
teach it at a time which is neither day nor night for it is written, You shall study it
day and night.
►
If so, then one may not teach his son a trade since it is written, You shall study it
day and night.
But didn’t R. Ishmael say, Choose life – this is a trade.
R. Abba…because of the slanderers.
► R Abhu said in the name of R. Yohanan, One may teach his daughter Greek for it
serves her as an ornament.
► Shimon bar Abba heard this. He said, because he wanted to teach his daughters
he ascribed it to R. Yohanan. May [a curse] come upon me if I heard this from R.
Yohanan.
►
►
Pandora’s Jar
Beresheet Rabbah, 179-180
► “And he said, I heard Your voice, and I was afraid for I am naked and I hid.
And he said, who told you that you are naked?” (Gen 3:9-10)
► Rabbi Levi said, This should be compared to a woman who comes to borrow
vinegar, who enters into the house of the wife of a colleague.
► She [the borrower] asks her [the wife], “How does your husband treat you?”
► She [wife] said to her [visitor], “Everything he does with me is good, except
that there is this jar, which is full of snakes and scorpions, which he does not
let me touch.”
► She [visitor] said, “All of his jewels are in there. And he plans to marry another
woman and give them to her.”
► What did she [wife] do? She stretched out her hand into the jar. They began
to bite her.
► When her husband came, he heard her voice crying out, and said, “Perhaps
you touched that jar?”
► Similarly [God said to Adam]: “Did you eat from the tree which I commanded
you?” (Gen 3:11)
Josephus on Pompey
No small enormities were committed about the temple itself,
which, in former ages, had been inaccessible, and seen by
none; for Pompey went into it, and not a few of those that
were with him also, and saw all that which it was unlawful for
any other men to see but only for the high priests.
► There were in that temple the golden table, the holy
candlestick, and the pouring vessels, and a great quantity of
spices; and besides these there were among the treasures two
thousand talents of sacred money: yet did Pompey touch
nothing of all this, on account of his regard to religion; and in
this point also he acted in a manner that was worthy of his
virtue.
► The next day he gave order to those that had the charge of
the temple to cleanse it, and to bring what offerings the law
required to God; and restored the high priesthood to
Hyrcanus, both because he had been useful to him in other
respects, and because he hindered the Jews in the country
from giving Aristobulus any assistance in his war against him
►
Antiquities 14.4
‫‪Rambam and His Detractors‬‬
‫► רמב"ם הלכות עבודת כוכבים פרק יא הלכה יא‬
‫מי שנשכו עקרב או נחש מותר ללחוש על מקום‬
‫הנשיכה ואפילו ו בשבת כדי ליישב דעתו ולחזק לבו‪,‬‬
‫אף על פי שאין הדבר מועיל כלום הואיל ומסוכן הוא‬
‫התירו לו כדי שלא תטרף דעתו עליו‪.‬‬
‫► ביאור הגר"א יורה דעה קעט ס"ק יג‬
‫אבל כל הבאים אחריו חלקו עליו שהרי הרבה לחשים‬
‫נאמרו בגמרא והוא נמשך אחר הפילוסופיא ולכן כתב‬
‫שכשפים ושמות ולחשים ושדים וקמיעות הכל הוא‬
‫שקר אבל כבר הכו אותן על קדקדו שהרי מצינו‬
‫הרבה מעשיות בגמרא על פי שמות וכשפים‬
Adapted from Rabbi Berel Wein
► “What
happened to the Hellenists? Their influence
all but collapsed in the wake of the defeat. They
would never return again as Hellenists, because
the war brought out their true colors as traitors
and they lost whatever appeal they could have
had to the Jewish people.
► Most of them retreated to the city of Caesarea,
which remained a Greek city (and later would
become a Roman city). They were just not part of
the Jewish people any longer.”
Elias Bickerman
From Ezra to the Last of the Maccabees
► “Judaism
was able to enrich itself with new
and foreign ideas and to be saved from the
mummification that overtook the religion of
the Egyptians, for example, which shut itself
off from Hellenism completely.
► The Maccabees preserved the Judaism of
the Greek period from both dissolution and
ossification. It is through their deeds that
the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob could
and did remain our God.”