Guide
Rabbinic Constructions of the Past: The Hasmoneans
3rd–6th Centuries
Restricted
By Carol Bakhos
Rabbinic literature is far from uniform in its depiction of the rise and fall of the Hasmonean dynasty. In general, the earlier Hasmoneans are depicted more favorably than later generations. Rabbinic writings also depict the early Hasmoneans anachronistically as conforming to the world of the rabbis, at times turning them into ideal sages.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Hasmonean Victory and Hanukkah
b. Shabbat 21b
What is Hanukkah? Our rabbis taught that on the twenty-fifth of Kislev [begin] the days of Hanukkah [lit., “dedication”], which are eight. One should not eulogize during them nor fast during them…
Primary Source
Nicanor’s Thumbs and Toes
b. Ta‘anit 18b
What is Nicanor [Day] and what is Trajan [Day]? As it is taught: Nicanor was one of the Greek generals. Each and every day he would lift his hand against Judaea and Jerusalem and say: When will [they]…
Primary Source
King Yannai and the Pharisees
b. Kiddushin 66a
[I]t was taught: It once happened that King Yannai [Janneus] went to Kokhalit in the desert and conquered sixty towns there. On his return he rejoiced exceedingly and invited all the Sages of Israel…
Primary Source
The Servant of King Yannai
b. Sanhedrin 19a–b
The kings of Israel, why [are they not judged]? Is it not because of a situation that occurred when the servant of King Yannai killed someone? Simeon ben Shetaḥ said to the sages: Place your eyes upon…
Primary Source
Until the Indignation Passes
Genesis Rabbah 91:3
Three hundred nazirites ascended [to Jerusalem] in the days of Simeon ben Shetaḥ. He found an opening for one hundred and fifty of them [i.e., a way to release them from their nazirite vow], but for…
Primary Source
Who Will Recite the Blessing?
b. Berakhot 48a
King Yannai and the queen broke bread with each other, but since [Yannai] had killed the sages, there was no one to make the blessing for them. [Yannai] asked his wife, “Who will give us someone who…
Primary Source
King Yannai’s Advice to His Wife Shelamzion
b. Sotah 22b
King Yannai said to his wife [before he died]: Do not be afraid of the Pharisees, and neither [should you fear] from those who are not Pharisees [i.e., the Sadducees]; rather, [beware] of the…
Primary Source
The Rains of Shelamzion’s Reign
Sifre Deuteronomy 42 | Sifra Beḥukotay 1:1
If you will obey my commandments which I command you this day, . . . I will give the rain of your land in its season (Deuteronomy 11:13–14). This refers to the way rains fell in…
Primary Source
Recasting Metal Vessels
b. Shabbat 16b
[This ordinance of Simeon ben Shetaḥ with regard to the impurity of metal vessels in general] was only needed with regard to previous impurity [reassumed by metal vessels after they are recast]. As R…
Primary Source
When I, Yannai, Die
Scholion to Megillat Ta’anit, Shevat 2
They said: When King Yannai fell ill, he seized seventy of the elders of Israel. He put them in chains, ordering the prison guard: When I die, kill the elders, so that even as Israel rejoice, they…
Primary Source
Battle between Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II
b. Sotah 49b
A man should not teach his son Greek. Our rabbis taught: When the Hasmonean kings laid siege to each other, Hyrcanus was outside [of the city of Jerusalem] and Aristobulus was inside [the city]. Every…
Primary Source
The Rise of King Herod
b. Bava Batra 3b–4a
Herod was a servant in the house of the Hasmoneans. He put his eyes upon a particular girl. One day, [Herod] heard a heavenly voice that said: Whatever servant rebels now will succeed! [Herod] got up…
Related Guide
Ancient Rabbinic Constructions of the Past
2nd–6th Centuries