Why did the Jews and the Greeks not get along in ancient times?

Answer 1

1) For long periods of time (such as the early part of the Second Temple era), they did get along.

2) As long as Jews paid taxes and didn't support the Ptolemies, the (Greek) Seleucids were largely amenable to coexistence. The trouble began when the Tobiads and other activists (Joseph ben Tuvia and his clique of politicians) interfered with international relations; and more so, when they: the Hellenizing clique, actively pressed the Greeks to initiate persecution of Torah-observers. This forced the hand of the religious Jews, leading them to fight for the right to keep their traditions. The resultant battles lasted for twenty-eight years, with thousands of Greek combatants killed.

Answer 2

Answer 1

because the Greeks killed the Jews.

Answer 2

There was a massive cultural clash between the Jews and the Greeks which is discussed below. Additionally, Greeks defiled the Jewish Temple by placing idols there, selecting Jewish religious leaders and priests, and by bringing un-kosher animals (like pigs) in the Temple vicinity. Greeks also brought their own traditions, such as nude sports, homosexuality, epicureanism, and their own pantheon of gods. All of these things disturbed the Jewish population. Finally, religious Jews noted many other Jews beginning to take on these Greek traditions and feared that Jews would assimilate out of existence.

Cultural and Ideological Clash

Judaism is about how to apply Divine Revelation to the Real World. As a result things have inherent value, purpose, and meaning. The laws of nature and the natural activities of the body need to be directed to accord with these values, purposes, and meanings. Two examples of this worldview are that every human has value regardless of whether that human is disabled and that homosexuality cannot be acted upon since it is considered a violation of the proper nature of a human. Essence precedes existence.

Hellenism is about how to shape an understanding of the world that reflects human desire and perception. Meanings, values, and purposes are only valid so long as the accord with a current perception. The human is central and that which does not build him up, protect him, and defend him is useless. Two examples of this worldview are that humans are only as valuable as their possible contribution to society (Spartans would discard disabled children to be eaten by wolves), but homosexuality when motivated by desire or nature is completely permissible. Essence is fundamentally determined by existence.

It is worth noting that relations between the Jews and Greeks have been much better in recent history. Jews fought alongside Greeks in the Greek Independence and Macedonian Wars. Jews also fought in the Greek Armies when they defeated the Italians and even when the Nazi Germans successfully overran Greek defenses. Unfortunately, Greeks did not object, retaliate, or take covert action to protect Greek Jews who were carted away by the Nazis. Almost the entire Greek Jewish community was destroyed in the Death Camps. However, Greeks are honest and reticent about this appalling past and have attempted to make a genuine peace with the Jewish community.

Answer 3

The culture clash between Jews and Greeks. The Greeks had an advanced culture with greatly advanced literarture, sciences, arts, philosophy. The Jews were nomadic tribes who invented a god to make them 'chosen people', something that no nation had never done before, and no religion other than Abrahamic ones have done since.

Hellenic spirituality has a complete worldview where reason and not 'blind faith' and subservience play the main role. Hellenic mythology is what Hebrew mythology (Bible) is based on (Herakles-Sampson, Androkles and lion, Daniel and lion, Deukalion and flood, Noah and flood (complete with dove and olive branch) etc etc.

Hellenic spirituality includes all of creation and nature in which the divine resides, and not a polarity of "us and them" or and external creator God and his creation.

It also is equally divided into male and female principles, respecting both.

As for 'bringing homosexuality, the Old Testament is full of homosexuality (including Abraham with his son), incest, orgies and people humping each others wives. Epicurianism is based on Ethics, Reason and Joy. What can be better and more balanced than that?

Greeks and Jews have been living peacefully alonside for thousands of years.

When Jews were hounded out of Spain and Portugal they were welcomed in Thessaloniki. During the Nazi invasion many people risked and lost their lives hiding and harbouring Jews, and priests worked full time issuing 'Baptismal Certificates' to Jews, proving their Love for their fellow beings albeit of other faith greater than their religion. Would the Jews have done that?

[See comments on this answer in the Discussion Section.]

Answer 3

This question is unfortunate as it is based on a false assumption. Although some Jews might not like some non-Jews as individuals, there is no record of a Jewish mass dislike of all Gentiles.