Lesson 11 - The Maccabean Revolt 1

This period raised critical debates about the role of the Torah in Jewish life. Hellenizing Jews viewed it more as a historical document of sentimental value, akin to Greek epics, while conservatives saw it as a strict guide for living. Moderate views sought a balance, treating the Torah as a compass rather than a straightjacket. However, Jason's Hellenizing measures and the registration of Jerusalem's inhabitants as citizens of Antioch further divided the society, polarizing it between liberals and conservatives.