The Maccabees

The Maccabees were a Jewish family who revolted against the Greek soldiers who had taken over their temple. They raised an army and fought against both the Greeks and their own people who had turned their backs on God's teachings. The story of the Maccabees is affiliated with Hanukkah.

Fast Facts

1. Their story began in 167 BCE¹
2. Maccabee means hammer or mallet²
3. Story told in the two Books of the Maccabees³
4. The Battle of the Maccabees took place over a twenty-five year period⁴
5. Hanukkah sometimes referred to as "The Feast of the Maccabees"²

The Maccabee Revolution

The Jewish people feared the Greek soldiers who had taken over their temple and rededicated it to their pagan god, Zeus. The soldiers overpowered the Jews, and forced them into worshiping Zeus.²

An old man named Matthias began the battle when he killed a Jewish man who was about to offer the sacrifice of a pig to Zeus. He turned to the people and asked all those who followed God's law to follow him. The sons of Matthias continued the rebellion, and Judas in particular is often affiliated with the great rebellion and triumph of the few against the many.³

Because of the number of Jews who were swayed by the power of the Greek gods, the revolt of the Maccabees was also a civil war.³

Hanukkah Treats and Fun

Enjoy some Hanukkah cupcakes

Learn how to make latkes

What are the rules for playing dreidel?

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