by B. Leslie Baird

Created on: November 15, 2009   Last Updated: December 07, 2009

Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration also known as the Festival of Lights. It is a celebration of victory but not of war. War itself is not something that is celebrated in the Jewish religion. The ability to freely worship as one chooses is.

Over two thousand years ago Israel was part of the Syrian-Greek Empire. The King of Syria, Antiochus III, went to war with King Ptolemy of Egypt for ownership of the Land of Israel. Antiochus III won this war and took over the rule of Israel. In the beginning of his rule he was not unkind to his Jewish subjects. However, when he was later defeated by the Romans things began to change. Antiochus was forced to pay taxes to Rome and his Jewish subjects became a good source for providing these taxes. When he was succeeded by his son, Seleucus IV, things progressively became worse.

The Jewish people of Israel also faced the influence of the Hellenists who's beliefs in idol worship and Syrian life style went against the basic principles of the Jewish faith. Yochanan, the High Priest was not liked by the Hellenists. Seleucus IV was informed by a Hellenists that the Temple contained great wealth. The king needed money to pay the taxes required by the Romans and he attempted to take the wealth of the Temple. Seleucus was not, however, successful in his attempt.

Seleucus IV was succeeded by his brother, Antiochus IV, and Antiochus was considered a cruel and harsh king. Antiochus IV removed Yochanan from his position of High Priest and replaced him with Yochanan's brother, who was a member of the Hellenist party. This began an era of Hellenist influence in the Temple and over the Jewish people. Also at this time Antiochus was involved in a war with Egypt. He was in a successful position but was ordered to end the war by Rome. Rumors spread in Jerusalem that an accident had occurred and Antiochus was dead. The people of Jerusalem then rebelled against the Hellenist ruling of the Temple.

When Antiochus return from Egypt he was informed of the rebellion and was infuriated. He ordered his army to turn against the Jews and thousands were put to death. Jewish observances were outlawed. Only one refuge area remained in the caverns of Judea and that too was subject to Syrian attack.

A priest by the name of Mattityahu also fled to the safety of Judea from Modin. He encourage his family, friends and others to follow him. As a group they formed legions and would destroy pagans alters and attack enemy outposts whenever they could. Before Mattityahu's

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