Midrash for Hanukkah: The Story of Judith

Midrash for Hanukkah (Midrash le-Ḥanukkah), a Hebrew collection of midrashim about the festival of Hanukkah, recounts a series of events related to the Hasmonean period and often draws on both Jewish and non-Jewish traditions. Other medieval midrashim and several piyyutim associate Judith with the Hanukkah story and elaborate on her critical role in the Jewish revolt against the Greeks. This text praises Judith’s violent actions.