Who was Judah Maccabee? (Jewish Biography as History) by Dr. Henry Abramson

Biography of Judah (Yehudah) Maccabee, important military commander behind the 2nd century BCE Hasmonean revolt against the Syrian-Greeks in ancient Israel. Part of the Jewish History @ Avenue J lecture series, more available at www.henryabramson.com
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[@iananderson-ley1847]

Thank you Dr. Abramson. I am Jewish by birth but was raised completely non-religious and these lectures have helped me to feel more connected with my people. Thank you so much

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

That is very amazing, I am so glad that these lectures help.

[@itsmejustletmein]

Dear Dr. Abramson, I am so thrilled that you are continuing to publish your online lectures. thank you for you generous and fabulous work!

[@wiseone544]

He boldly and willingly leaves out the knowledge that the Greeks learned from the libraries and lessons of the Ethiopians (Africa)!!!! Wow!!

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Amazing. And not a word about the Protestant Reformation, either! Can you believe it?

[@kendrajohnson8389]

As a Christian interested in the history of the transition period between the Old and New Testaments, I found this lecture very informative. Thank you!

[@JoseRivera-ok5iy]

Kendra Johnson m

[@GKing-fm7rx]

Kendra Johnson r u insain the man is lying.

[@lobell759]

@@GKing-fm7rx What do u think Dr.A is lying about...? I have found Dr. Abramson's lectures EXCELLENT..

[@araunapalm]

@@GKing-fm7rx what are you basing your comment on? History or only personal opinion? Please explain.

[@marshawoods1493]

So glad your here to teach us about Jewish History. You make it very interesting Rabbi!!

[@erudite6640]

Great lecture! I'm fascinated with this period of Jewish history. Especially what happened after Alexander's conquests and how it impacted Jewish history.

[@forsterarts]

The best lecture on the the Maccabees to date. I was beginning that I had interpreted all wrong, until I heard Dr. Abramson's lecture.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thank you!

[@Badger6052]

Excellent - I am reading Josephus during this period as well as 1 & 2 Maccabees and I am glad that I have this lecture to draw upon as I go over these sources. Thank you!

[@zackmano]

I love how you deal with the question of the oil miracle. It's very hard to explain to people that can't read the original Hebrew and Aramaic of Megilath Ta'anith... but your explanation is about as perfect as you can give to ppl who don't understand the original languages. All I can say to any Jews out there: Please put in time to study Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic. I know that sounds like an impossible project, but you will fall in love with these languages and you will thank me for suggesting it to you. If you don't, please PM me or write it here. I promise you it will only help your journey 🙌🙏💙🙌

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Studying in the original is always better.

[@catherinewilliams6384]

Thank you for posting this lecture.

[@briankelly5828]

Thank you for a very interesting lecture - I particularly liked the tour d'horizon on Hellenism and how it came to impact on Judea and Galilee, and the points you make about it being essentially a Jewish civil war and the problem of commemorating a civil war in public memory and retrospect. The whole Maccabean period is enormously important for numerous reasons. I appreciate this is an introductory lecture and you could only touch on a few issues; as well, you are approaching your subject matter biographically rather than thematically. May I mention some tangents? 1. The canonical status of 1 and 2 Maccabees among the Christian Churches is more mainstream than I thought you were suggesting. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches have pretty much affirmed them always, although Jerome rejected them, preferring to follow the Hebrew Canon. 2. It was understandable that 1 and 2 Maccabees furnished subject matter for Christian art in the Middle Ages, as it was counted as part of the Christian Bible. The 'Maccabean Martyrs' of 1 Macc. 1.60 were commemorated, and allusion to them is found in Hebrews 11.35f. in the New Testament. The Protestant Reformers followed the Rabbis and Jerome in rejecting their canonical status, partly because 2 Macc. 12.44-45 was cited in support of prayer for the dead and the doctrine of Purgatory. 3. I think around 48 minutes you referred to 'the Roman Empire and the Roman Emperor'; but of course there was no emperor until Octavian (Augustus). 4. The whole period is fascinating also for the way it features in three other great areas of research: the Dead Sea Scrolls and the rise of Essenism; the origins of Samaritanism; understanding the Book of Daniel -every one a hot potato! Thank you again for all the informative teaching you do and the lively way you do it.

[@briankelly5828]

+Henry Abramson - well, I think you did a very adroit job with the tricky question on Greeks and anti-Semitism! I'm an OT scholar by background but greatly interested as well in post-biblical Jewish history and I really enjoy the diverse insights (and the jokes) you provide on such a wide range of subjects in Judaica - such as your explanation in one of the talks (on Trotsky?) why there was significant secular Jewish element in Russian communism. (There may be echoes of this in South Africa as well - Joe Slovo). I was always a little puzzled why the Jewish political class in Britain tended (with notable exceptions) to side with the left, just as it seems to be the case in the USA, although Jews are among the wealthier segments in both countries. Is it something to do with the historic experience of immigrants?

[@deh3407]

Awesome Lecture Dr. Abramson, well done and so very interesting, in which I thoroughly enjoyed.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed it!

[@Jerrypie77]

Excellent seminar, learned a lot.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad it was helpful!

[@peacecrafttrue]

...but everyone knew her as Nancy. Tough crowd. Thank you for this, it helped so much on my study of the Nine Worthies.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Great!

[@Jim-sb7dt]

Updated. It's been suggested, and I agree, that instead of saying Ben Noach, it's better to say, I embrace the Jewish faith. I just completed reading Tenakh cover to cover. I loved it and will read it more and more. My next job is to learn Hebrew. Thank you and the other Rabbi's I've listened to for getting me started.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Wow, big project!

[@davidsavage6324]

My Eth Cepher (i like to call it my uber bible or para canon) has half the Maccabee texts (One through four).87 texts total a great resouce! has 29th chapter of Acts, Ethipoc Enoch, Jubilees, Jasher, 3,4 Ezra. And all the names of God and proper nouns and names are transliterated. And it gives a little taste of The Orthodox Jewish Bible christian translation with important vocabulary left untranslates with a foot note. And the way the foot notes cross coordinate similar passages between Tanakh, Christian Testament and the extrabiblical texts, very circumspect in scope, the overall vantage it provides is quite a nourishing vastness.

[@thomasdonovan3580]

Dr Abramson is my favorite historian.... Vhat a MENCH!

[@cedricgist7614]

I learned two things that stand out for me: (1) that the core of the Maccabean conflict was near civil war - conflict between traditionalist and reformist factions, and; (2) that Judas Maccabeus opened the door for Roman rulership of the region, similar to how King Hezekiah opened the door for Babylonian conquest of Judea centuries earlier.

[@somedude5951]

Not only great story lessons, you are also a very nice man.

[@antoasap8644]

Toda rabbi from Jamaica

[@uncleambient]

Great lecture and very informative, thank you.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

You're very welcome!

[@brucemarkowitz]

The Books of the Maccabees have every reason to include the story describing the miracle of the oil yet do not mention it at all. Why would you think this story wasn't mentioned and might this be a reason they were not included in TNK?

[@amyhelwig]

Good evening, Professor Abramson. This video was years ago, and I’ve just viewed this. I respect your overall knowledge of the History you present us with. I’m of Puerto Rican birth, and recently learned through a DNA test that I have Jewish Ancestry. I also found that the majority of people in PR also have Jewish ancestry, and are also related to me, which isn’t uncommon on islands (the being related part). That being said, I’ve also had the opportunity to read some historical texts which insinuate that Christopher Columbus brought many Jewish people with him and helped them flee Spain. I was raised Catholic and am familiar with the books of Maccabees from my religious upbringing. To my knowledge, it’s only the Catholic Church which currently includes these books in their Bible. Could there be a link between Catholicism and Judaism beyond what’s already known? I just find it strange that many Hispanics have Jewish DNA and probably come from Jewish backgrounds from what I’m learning through my DNA analysis.

[@a1erii]

I just became Catholic this year. It is all so fascinating to learn about.

[@lukasmadrid1945]

I'm interested in military history and Jewish history, so this was fantastic. Carry on with these great videos and the cheesy jokes :)

[@SunnycoastKlips]

Thanks! With regards to the question on early historical evidences for the miracle of the oil outside of the Talmud, I'd just like to add my thoughts that John 8-10 in the NT could be seen as an allusion to early recognition of the miracle of the oil with it's talk about the "light of the world" immediately preceding events that occurred on the feast of dedication.

[@RafaelRabinovich]

Sunnycoast Klips John 8:10 is about forgiving a woman ... What is there about Chanukah and the miracle of the Menorah oil?

[@franherndon4682]

At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter @ John 8:10 with no mention of the miracles or Chanukah...just a reference to the Feast of Dedication. Simply an interesting reference that proves it was celebrated in this period of early history.

[@RPM11111]

Thank you fro making this available. I appreciate it.

[@Dan-sc9lq]

I so appreciate your format which if easy to follow and the giving of original sources.

[@jancomestor4820]

Dr. Abramson, I enjoyed this new lecture. Glad that you are back.

[@meirohanna6498]

Dr. Abramson, thank you for a great lecture. So much more we can say about the true meaning of Hanukkah that I am sure If a search a little you probably have a lecture already on it. Looking forward to viewing more of your lectures on different topics.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed the lecture!

[@tomsmith8781]

Shalom!

[@georgeb7507]

Alexander's territory was divided 4 ways, not a couple of ways. Antiochus was anti-Semitic. What have you been studying all this time? You don't think slaughtering a pig and killing Jews for carrying the Torah was not Ant-Semetic.

[@paulwelch953]

I suspect that, while they wouldn't all fit on the elephant, 32 infantry man per elephant might reflect a certain understanding of the importance of infantry support for heavy infantry.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Interesting perspective.

[@jamarimitchell1220]

One third of the way in and I'm.hearing more about Greece than Judas Maccabee..

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Sometimes that happens

[@AltaAnastazYah]

Those that say they are JEWS but are not. Original Hebrews were and still are black. Now..Teach that history!

[@yakov95000]

Lol "Original" Jews are Jews,Sub Saharan African from America have nothing to do with Jewish history...

[@gabehessenthaler6820]

The 8 days is a re-celebration of Sukkot because they were not allowed to celebrate it during the battles

[@Jim-sb7dt]

I really enjoy your work. I take notes as if I'm going for an A in class. I'm in my sixties and am Ben Noach.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Enjoy in good health!

[@malloryanderson9098]

I’m just starting on Ben Noach. It’s hard in Iowa. But it’s so uplifting. When you read the Jewish materials it’s like coming home, somehow.

[@Jim-sb7dt]

@@malloryanderson9098 Hi Molly. I prefer to say I embrace the Jewish faith rather than saying I am Ben Noach. I just finished reading the Jewish bible cover to cover. It's so awesome I couldn't put it down. I took around 200 pages of notes. Rabbi Scobac is also very good. I hear what you're saying. In my city there is a good size Jewish community. I may have to move there. Most my life I've been surrounded by Christian's. So yes, that's frustrating. I'm now wanting to learn Hebrew.

[@Jim-sb7dt]

I'm sorry, Mallory

[@Jim-sb7dt]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD thank you

[@HonestMan98]

just found your channel. very excited to explore the videos. cheers.

[@esty6374]

What an amazing man Judah was

[@moester75]

Very well done Hank Abramson I enjoyed your lecture. Happy Hanukkah 🕎 buddy.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Xante188]

Very detailed and informative.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Glad you think so!

[@davidsavage6324]

it's a strange thing but I can't hear the word Maccabee without thinking of the Rug Rats enthusiastically calling themselves Macca-babies!, getting caught in Channakuh stories conveyed to them by the adults.

[@JamesM702]

That is very interesting!! By the way my brothers exact name is David Savage too lol

[@jboyd3737]

Once again, a great lecture.

[@franherndon4682]

Thank you for sharing this video and lecture with my family. I was interested in sharing reliable and well-researched information with my children. Your work is compelling and has increased our knowledge and strengthened our decision to teach the kids about the importance of this rich history.

[@mendyross6121]

Thanks for the lecture! Great to have you back!

[@davidsavage6324]

whoa! on Josephus saying his father was named Asmodeus, is there any connection to Asmodeus King of the demons?

[@patrycksilva6735]

thanks for the lecture Dr. Abramson :-) can u pls make a lecturer Jewish pirates of the Caribbeans and Sephardic Jewry in Latin America. Thanks

[@antoasap8644]

Toda rabbi I hope you do make a lecture on caribbean latin american sephardic contributions to American Jewry.

[@antoasap8644]

shalom Patrick where are you based.

[@karenparra1206]

were is the color

[@RafaelRabinovich]

Karen Parra Is your screen set to black and white only?

[@user-yj7bd5py4s]

prolly need a new phone bruh

[@ayjay242]

Greeks were taught by the Egyptians...

[@obinnachristian144]

Shalom my good rabbi, Yahweh Elohim bless you and give you long life. I am an Igbo Israelite from the house of eri, the son of Had, seventh son of yacob. I wish to do the same thing, tear down the abomination of Britain, fight for the the nation of my ancestors isreal, promote Judaism and revolt against the sons of Ismael Fulani, restore Judaism and fight against the enemies of my country isreal. Thank you Rabbi

[@dadsonworldwide3238]

Was the kosher diet primarily animals native to the region vs those not native?

[@sashagooch6401]

Hi Henry, was just wondering why most sources are putting Judah Maccabee to 175 to 134 or somewhere round abouts but your screen says 2bc. Please could you help me with the confusion

[@sashagooch6401]

Henry Abramson thank you for your reply, but still confused. As it is alot of years to round off. But liked your presentation. Shalom

[@yossiwibowo1786]

sashagooch 200bce u mean?

[@dr.elijahtrue9648]

It wasn't only a civil war. It started that way but Judah definitely fought the Romans and selucid. I feel just saying it's a civil war is incorrect. I watched this many times. Am I wrong?

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Definitely a civil war in many ways. But you are correct, there were many other players involved!

[@teresalee9997]

thank you for the lecture

[@Darisiabgal7573]

Romans did not have emperors in the Maccabean period, they were a republic with a proconsul.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Correct

[@ourlifeinwashington4114]

And still watching. Wenatchee Washington

[@greatwhiteshark7896]

Incorrect: it happened in ancient Judea, not in ancient Israel. Judaism was found by unfaithful ancient Israelites who were not happy and satisfied with God's instructions given through Moses. They mixed pagan rituals and traditions with God's teachings and invented Judaism to oppose pure God's faith. Abraham, Moses never encounter followers of Judaism but if they were they would strongly oppose this godless religion.

[@JAHtony1111]

What happened to Ashkenazi the sons of japheth? Conversion to Judaism?

[@doooovid]

Like the anachronistic expression 'Jewish' Quisling?! First time you used that? Not sure it fits.

[@veaudor]

+Henry Abramson What about using "short shrift" to describe a Jewish subject?? lol

[@JAHtony1111]

How did japheth's son Ashkenaz become shem's son Israel?

[@rdanko]

great to hear and c u again ...

[@christophermartyre5505]

Great lecture, very informative

[@brathajoe1]

Good lecture!

[@jenya1996]

So sad, the schwartzes are so confused 😐

[@awula5385]

Jenya, racist much?

[@robertgallagher36]

Very interesting. What a treat.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Thank you! Two newer versions of this lecture available, updated with more stuff I learned since I spoke in this lecture.

[@JAHtony1111]

Scripture says the heathen thought Paul and Moses were Egyptians cuz Egyptians and Israelites were Black before the barbarian invasions. Cant confuse ur images of Josephus with Egyptians. Looks like a European.

[@giovanni545]

Revelation 14:12 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

[@413medina]

Love these vids

[@davidsavage6324]

from what I understand wrestling is the most ancient and universal sport; before hunting was a sport it was survival not sport I'd say.

[@erikl2144]

Now, why is it that people who do not know much, and make many mistakes, and twist names, and looks like they just read it all just yesterday on Wiki - Why and how these people think they can lecture on History events? Maybe revert back to Rabbinical work?

[@tommyodonovan3883]

Erik L What! YOU can do better? Schmuck!

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

The spinnafex, rolling by Your foot after the untimely endings? Are ever Your punchlines. They echo out of time too. The appreciation of it comes with it's fuze. Tickles me everytime. Your pride in irony gives me a chuckle too. Ive never been a fan of any Man. I mightve given credence to Chomsky, Leary or Reverend Paisley even. An idolatry free existence thanks to Pathological parenting. An actual living breathing Man to admire? It's the very endearing nature i see. 'You!? Your the whole Ball. I hope, as i'm sure beyond doubt, that Your Children do appreciate Your stature. Nectar.

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

Ahh, like the Mauna Kia, in the pacific.

[@gbaviere]

LOL I almost missed the joke. I missed it last time. How funny.

[@yourthought2333]

😉 I believe that instead of celebrating the revolt we should fast to remember the pains endured prior to.

[@trustgodnotman6525]

Why are blacks not mentioned in Jewish history??

[@shoshana-xs4cm]

Euclides?

[@leyahyisrael4693]

1 & 2 Maccabees is in the 1611 King James Bible (Authorized Version) and the tribe of Yehudah are people of color!!!!

[@user-yj7bd5py4s]

LeYah Yisrael well yea all people have color seems kinda of weird to point out a obvious truth as no human is clear skin as they would be invisible😐

[@4usbyus965]

@@user-yj7bd5py4s your being disingenuous but we know why..Lol 👀

[@Leokat334]

What’s the obsession of saying the color of Jews were dark or black? That’s racist! We don’t care! There’s Jews from regions around the world of different color but it doesn’t make them less Jewish. Stop trying to be more significant than you are.

[@markr.katzman3743]

Well done...yasher koach!

[@pplatymuth8325]

Israel and Greek influence. .... Israel and American influence?

[@thuglifebear5256]

So is noone else is here because of Handel?

[@chalice3571]

at 44 seconds, he turned me off... bad very bad intro.... Sorry

[@RonJohn63]

11:47 That looks like a *Roman* nose... 28:44 Nothing much has changed since then.

[@Ritercrazy]

Loved your jokes too.

[@Tubulous123]

Yes!!! Thank you!!!1 1Nation4Life

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

I think that's a little outside my area of specialization.

[@Tubulous123]

@@HenryAbramsonPhD, Thanks.

[@rephaimog4186]

It seems the Lacedemonians were probably one of the lost tribes of Israel. Jonathan the high priest, and the elders of the nation, and the priests, and the other of the Jews, unto the Lacedemonians their brethren send greeting: There were letters sent in times past unto Onias the high priest from Darius, who reigned then among you, to signify that ye are our brethren, as the copy here underwritten doth specify. At which time Onias entreated the ambassador that was sent honourably, and received the letters, wherein declaration was made of the league and friendship. Therefore we also, albeit we need none of these things, that we have the holy books of scripture in our hands to comfort us, Have nevertheless attempted to send unto you for the renewing of brotherhood and friendship, lest we should become strangers unto you altogether: for there is a long time passed since ye sent unto us. We therefore at all times without ceasing, both in our feasts, and other convenient days, do remember you in the sacrifices which we offer, and in our prayers, as reason is, and as it becometh us to think upon our brethren … (1Ma 12:6-11 KJVA)

[@giovanni545]

God help them win the battle against the the invader

[@historicvic2795]

You should continue using "those israelites" because you are not "us".

[@historicvic2795]

@IL NGR all of the tribes of israel ate black. Not jusy the tribe of Dan. I dare you. Double dare you to ask me for the svriptures in the boble to prove the israelites were/are black. I will wait for your reply in hope to shut you up.

[@ibnyahud]

@@historicvic2795 ok believe what ever hocus pocus you want you can't even read Hebrew lol...you probably only speak English... You are also so vitriolic and angry, I doubt you are carrying a "message of God"

[@historicvic2795]

@@ibnyahud 1. What does reading Hebrew got to do with ANYTHING with what I just said? 2. Who said anything about carrying a "message of God"? 3. You should go study and read "The Thirteenth Tribe: The Khazar Empire and Its Heritage, By Arthur Koestler. (A Jewish man) 4. When you read that book, then reply back to me.

[@deejdavis]

🤔He forgot to mention the fact that they were✊🏿 "BLACK"😳

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

I didn't mention race because it didn't seem relevant.

[@deejdavis]

I mentioned color only because it has been brought to my attention the world has attempted to hide the truth about who the black Hebrew Israelites are. The caption clearly depicts an image of a pale skinned person so I mentioned color not race. And consider this, what if 100 years from now they do a lecture about you but show illustrations of you that are black skinned. Wouldn't that be very misleading along with might I add deceptive. Especially if the people responsible actually know that you were in fact, 0ale skinned.🤔 Food for thought..think and eat 🥗 SHALOM✊🏿

[@ibnyahud]

@@deejdavis My friend, if you are reading things in English and can't read the historical languages of the region in question: Greek, Latin, Arabic, Aramaic and Hebrew. Then I would say you lack access to about 95% of historical documents and sources.... English is just a modern twist on a dialect of Old Norse - i.e. White European language - and you are coming to me as someone scholarly?

[@tonyholmes962]

Hi to the others 3.

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Hi

[@tonyholmes962]

You didn't say one of them was you. Are the other 2 your family? I love your work. Thank you for all you have done.

[@susiervo1]

Why doesn't he say AD or BC 🧐? What is this BCE garbage? CE?

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

Standard usage, especially for secular or non-Christian historians.

[@jdsheleg8332]

"Guerrilla warfare," not "gorilla" !!!

[@karenparra1206]

so you ancient bloodline is this truly juddisam

[@RafaelRabinovich]

Karen Parra Judaism, mind you

[@lewis033]

My OPINION, you are not fit to teach a goldfish how to swim, so things you said are true but you inserted your own philosophy as opposed to what is written in scripture and in history. One fact I do know- you were not the people of that time, they were blacks look like ETHIOPIANS and you do not look like an AFRICAN! You leading people straight to HELL with your lies!

[@franherndon4682]

Thank you for showing how to respond to such "passion".

[@jenya1996]

lisa palmer in your OPINION? This mensch is a professor. He specifically states that he is sticking to historical facts. This has nothing to do with scripture or philosophy. You’re either talking Theology or history.... in your case it’s theology. Because you BELIEVE he’s leading others to hell.

[@adijohnson5.075]

lisa palmer yes sister. I totally agree.

[@yakov95000]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Maccabeus This is how Yehuda Ha'Maccabi actually looked like from coins from Hashmonai Kingdom...

[@user-yj7bd5py4s]

but why do they find thousands of years old bodies of blonde-haired people in Africa what does an actual African look like

[@curiolus]

Great lecture once again Henry, more stupid jokes are welcome.

[@karenparra1206]

judis bo talk to much not about the sub and hand

[@giovanni545]

avoid proud. be glad

[@76olimpo]

🇮🇱

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

ty

[@76olimpo]

🇮🇱

[@HenryAbramsonPhD]

ty