The story of Judah Maccabee is one that begins with the Judean revolt. Hanukkah is but a minor Jewish holiday, but its origins are still inspiring today.
No strangers to hardship, the people of Judea in southern Palestine found themselves at odds with the mandate set forth by the tyrannical Antiochus IV, who ruled the vast Greco-Syrian Empire under whose jurisdiction the Judeans unfortunately fell. In an attempt to forcefully incorporate Greek customs and ideals throughout his kingdom, Antiochus forbade the practice of Judaism, and aggressively persecuted those who dared defy him. The concepts of polytheism and idolatry were antithetical to everything that the Jews believed, and while some capitulated and at least publicly did as they were ordered, many refused, and subsequently suffered incarceration, torture and execution.
The year was 166 BC, and the time was ripe for a hero. That hero came from the small village of Modin, near Jerusalem. Inspired by the example of his father Mattathias, a priest, Judah Maccabee (also known as Judas Maccabaeus) led a bold revolt against the Syrian oppressors, a revolt which eventually culminated in Judean independence. Joining him were his four brothers, and soon, thousands of others.
The defeat of two much larger armies –from Syria and Samaria, respectively- sent against the Maccabees both stunned and infuriated the arrogant Antiochus. Two more engagements soon followed, with similar results for the better-equipped and highly-trained enemy soldiers – who often outnumbered the Jews more than 10 to one.
The name “Maccabee” was derived from Judah’s moniker “Ha-Makkabi,” meaning “the Hammerer.” A brilliant strategist, Judah was clever enough to avoid direct confrontations with the superior Syrian forces (Samuels: 100). He finally met his match at the battle of Elasa in 160 BC, where he was killed and his forces routed. His brother Jonathan carried on the fight against the Syrians for several years, securing numerous victories and even ruling Judea briefly. Necessity forced Jonathan to make alliances with dubious allies. He was betrayed by a Syrian general named Tryphon, who pretended to befriend him, then had him assassinated in 142 BC. Two years later, the nation of Judea, then ruled by Judah’s only surviving brother, Simon, shook off the yoke of Syrian control.
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, commemorates both Judah’s victories over the Syrians and the rededication of the temple at Mount Zion in Jerusalem, which the Maccabees, after returning victorious from a battle with the Syrians in 162 BC, discovered had been desecrated. According to legend, the tiny amount of lamp oil remaining was sufficient to keep the Eternal Light (“Ner Tamid” in Hebrew), as well as the temple’s menorah, burning for a miraculous eight days. Prior to this event, menorahs had only seven branches (ibid.:101). The Hanukkah menorah has eight, plus one for the “servant” candle, known as the “shamash” in Hebrew (AICE).
Sources
Samuels, Ruth. Pathways Through Jewish History. New York: Ktav Publishing House, 1970
1967: 99-101, 103.
Jewish Virtual Library. American-Israeli Cooperation Enterprise. 30 Nov. 2007
