The Ancients Hanukkah & the Maccabees
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Dec 8, 2024 Join Dr. Jodi Magness, a Professor at the University of North Carolina and an expert on ancient Jewish history, as she unpacks the fascinating origins of Hanukkah. Delve into the gripping story of the Maccabean Revolt against the oppressive Seleucid Empire over 2,000 years ago. Discover how the revolt shaped Jewish identity amid Hellenistic pressures and the pivotal actions of figures like Mattathias and Judah Maccabee. This rich narrative explores themes of defiance, cultural survival, and the historical significance of Jerusalem's temple rededication.
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Judea's precarious position
- Judea was often a point of contention, caught between the Ptolemies of Egypt and the Seleucids of Syria.
- This power struggle shaped Judea's political landscape in the 2nd century BC.
Judea's semi-autonomy
- Judea enjoyed semi-autonomy under Seleucid rule, with Jewish law governing Jewish life.
- A council of elders, the Gerousia, administered the territory, allowing religious freedom.
Hellenization of Jerusalem
- In 175 BC, High Priest Jason paid the Seleucids to Hellenize Jerusalem, including renaming it Antioch.
- Greek institutions like gymnasiums and ephebians were introduced but Jewish worship continued.