Ancient Judaism - Maccabees

A Library of Congress look at the famous family in the Hanukkah tradition, the Maccabees.

Pharisees were active during the Second Temple period of Jewish history.

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival of lights held around the time of the winter solstice in commemoration of the Maccabees and the oil for the menorah.

One festival connected with lights in the middle of winter, gift giving, and indulgent food is the 2000 year old holiday Hanukkah, literally, dedication, since Hanukkah is a celebration of the rededication of the Temple following a purification ritual.

Glossary entry for the Hasmoneans.

The Bible is a series of documents many revere as the backbone of their religion. For others, it is a literary masterpiece. For still others, it is nonsense. But our culture makes reference to many of the people mentioned in the Bible, so regardless of one's feelings about its value, it makes good sense to learn to recognize the names of major...