0
Because he tried to stamp out Judaism.
The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) under Antiochus Epiphanes (2nd century BCE), at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices such as Sabbath-observance and circumcision, rededicated the Temple to a Greek idol, and pressed the Jews to offer up sacrifices to the idol. One of the leading elder Jewish sages called upon the people to keep observing the Torah anyway; and if necessary, to use force in resisting the decrees. When a Hellenized Jew offered a sacrifice to the Greek idols in a nearby village, the sage killed him as well as the Greek overseer. This brought a violent reaction from the Greeks; and the loyal Jews, led by the Hasmonean family, were forced to retreat from their towns and strike out at the Greeks in an attempt to oust them from the Holy Land and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah. The Torah-Jews were heavily outnumbered by the attacking Greek armies, but God gave them miraculous victories again and again. After three years of struggle, the Greek armies retreated from Jerusalem, and the Hasmoneans (also called Maccabees) entered the Holy Temple which the Greeks had defiled, reconsecrated it to God, and began the Temple service once more. Among other things, they wanted to relight the olive oil candelabrum (Exodus ch. 25), but could only find one day's supply of undefiled oil - and it would take eight days to make and bring some more.
Miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for eight days (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), allowing enough time for new oil to be prepared and brought. The significance of the miracle is that it demonstrated that God's presence was still there. The Torah-community was overjoyed, because God's presence meant everything to them.
This is what Hanukkah represents: the closeness to God; and the avoidance of Hellenization (assimilation).
The Torah Sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah at that time (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), to publicize the miracle (Rashi commentary, ibid). This is why we light our Hanukkah-menorahs.
(The Hanukkah-menorah, or hanukkiyah, is a special form of the original seven-branched menorah. Our Hanukkah-menorahs have eight spaces for oil, or candles, to mark each of the eight days for which the oil lasted and a ninth to hold the shamash, a candle used to light the others.)
The Al-Hanisim prayer which we recite during Hanukkah centers around the Hasmoneans' victory and rededication of the Temple, while the candle-lighting commemorates the miracle of the oil.
Though the military victory is prominently mentioned in the prayers, it wouldn't have been celebrated if not for the miracle of the oil. It should also be noted that the main goal for which the Maccabees fought was not political independence. They fought to enable the people to observe the Torah's commandments; as we say in the Al Hanisim prayer: "the Greeks sought to cause us to forget Your Torah and leave Your statutes."
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
When was Antiochus IV Epiphanes born?
Antiochus IV Epiphanes was born in -215.
When did Antiochus IV Epiphanes die?
Antiochus IV Epiphanes died in -164.
This Syrian ruler's orders for Jews to worship Greek gods led to the maccabean revolt?
Antiochus IV Epiphanes
A political ruler opposed to the Bible was?
Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Who is antiochus epiphanes IV and why is he important in the old testament?
Antiochus IV Epiphanes was a Seleucid king who ruled over Judea in the 2nd century BCE. He is significant in the Old Testament for his persecution of the Jewish people and desecration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, sparking the Maccabean Revolt. This event led to the celebration of Hanukkah.
Who was the villain of Hanukkah?
The Syrian-Greeks of the Seleucid Empire. In particular, Antiochus Epiphanes IV.
When did Antiochus IV Epiphanes take the title Epiphanes?
Antiochus took the title Epiphanes (meaning God Manifest) when he took the Seleucid throne in 174 BCE. Kings by tradition gave themselves an epithet once taking power, like Alexander 'The Great.' Antiochus's epithet is said to be the first time a king chose to call himself 'God' though Egyptian Pharaohs were known to compare themselves to deities. Another interesting side note is Antiochus was not named Antiochus at birth. His name was Mithradates. ~J.M. DeBord PS - I wrote a novel featuring Antiochus titled "Something Coming."
What foreign Syrian ruler did the early Hasidim resist?
First, it is important to note that religious Jews of 1st century BCE Judea are not generally referred to as Hasidim. Common Hasidism is a modern Jewish movement which developed in the 1700s as a populist reaction to the perceived elitist culture of the Orthodox Yeshivot in Eastern Europe. The religious Jews of Judea resisted the Seleucid (Syrian Greek) King Antiochus Epiphanes IV.
When did Antiochus IV Epiphanes desecrate the Temple?
He sent an Athenian senator to force the Jews to profane the Temple in Jerusalem and dedicate it to Olympian Zeus. He also brought into the Temple things that were forbidden, so that the altar was covered with abominable offerings prohibited by the Torah laws.
Who was villain on Hanukkah?
The Syrian-Greeks, led by Antiochus IV.
Why did the Hebrews object to the orders of king Antiochus?
Antiochus IV of Syria wanted them to become Hellenized- to follow Greeks rather than Jewish customes
How did the Maccabees get their name?
The Maccabees were a Jewish national liberation movement that fought for and won independence from Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Hellenistic Seleucid dynasty, who was succeeded by his infant son Antiochus V Eupator. The Maccabees founded the Hasmonean royal dynasty and established Jewish independence in the Hasmonean Kingdom for about one hundred years, from 164 BCE to 63 BCE. The Maccabees found their name by flicking through the bible and picking out a random word.
