What is the significance of the Maccabean revolt?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. What is most significant about the revolt is that it demonstrated that not all areas of the former Alexandrian Empire were willing to accept Hellenism as a universal identity. The rejection of the Greek ways as being antithetical to traditional Jewish order and law occurred when the Pharisees unified against the demands of Antiochus IV of the Seleucid kingdom. He compromised the Jewish religion with attempts at syncretism, or merging of different cultural components that were distasteful or unacceptable to Jewish tradition, including circumcision and sacrificing pigs on temple altars. While segments of Jewish society were willing to learn Koine Greek and to live harmoniously, or even found a more moderate form of Judaism acceptable, this was felt by some conservative groups within Judaism to be unacceptable. After the success of the rebellion, the Pharisees and the Sanhedrin tightened the requirements within Judaism, cleansed and reopened the temple, and thereafter celebrated Hannukah as a commemoration of this revolt.