Rise of Antiochus
By: Rivka C. Berman, Contributor
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Around 175 BCE
Antiochus IV, who gave himself the name Epiphanes – “God made manifest,”
rose to power and ruled the Selucids. Seeking to prevent the Ptolmies
from annexing Judea, Antiochus Epiphanes invades Judea and attempts to
march into Ptolemy territory.
175-172 BCE Antiochus retreats to Judea in defeat. To strengthen his
hold on the territory Antiochus attempts to smooth over the stubborn
Jewish people. In an effort to do that Antiochus enforces Hellenistic
culture in Judea. He builds a gymnasium next to the holy Temple in
Jerusalem. He selects the pro-Greek Jew, Jason, for the high priesthood
and establishes an ally in the highest Jewish office.
172 BCE some Jews were happy to absorb Greek culture, a ticket to their
acceptance by high society. However, it is apparent that many Jews
embrace the Greek culture, as Antiochus perceives the need to tackle the
situation, invades Jerusalem, demolishes many of the city’s walls, and
destroys the holy Temple.
Around this time, Antiochus enforces anti-Jewish laws. His decrees
forbid Sabbath observance, Torah study, circumcision, and Rosh Hodesh -
the proclamation of the new Jewish month. These acts restrict the
observances that shape the Jewish concept of time (Sabbath and Rosh
Hodesh), mind (Torah study), and body (circumcision). These harsh
proclamations, along with other important details about the Maccabees,
are recorded in I Maccabees, a book that is part of the apocrypha or
Sefarim HaChitzoniyim, literally “outer books” or accounts that were not
included in the biblical canon.
In I Maccabees, Antiochus’s harshness was recorded. Mass Torah scroll
burnings are commanded. Those who dared to study Torah and women who
circumcised their sons flirted with death.
Mazor Guide for Chanukah brings you much more about the holiday, its
meaning and its traditions... See the links below.