Miriam – He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
The last Hasmonean leader for the holiday is Miriam. Although she was never a ruler in her own right, Miriam did influence greatly her husband,…
Antigonus – The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend
We ended our story with the darkest of the dark - it was the night of the new moon. But one thing that is true…
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Aristobulus II – Calling the Romans
What happens when you want power so badly that you will literally do anything to get it? Meet Aristobulus II. Aristobulus II was the youngest…
Hyrcanus II – All the Ways to Lead a People
Things are about to get messy - really messy. So let's try to make some order out of the chaos. In order to do that,…
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Salome Alexandra – Queen of Zion
We don't know much about Salome Alexandra's upbringing or family and yet she would rule Judea for almost a decade from 76 to 67 BCE.…
Alexander Yannai – Conqueror, Builder, Soap Opera Star
Alexander Yannai is one of the best known of the Hasmonean kings; perhaps this is because of his conquests, many buildings (some of which remain…
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John Hyrcanus – Push Out, Dig In
It's not easy to be second. The second ruler of the miraculous independent state founded after the Maccabean revolt was Judah Maccabee's nephew. As the…
Simon Thassi – Founder of a State
We look for miracles on Hanukkah - the festival of light. But what were actually the miracles associated with this war and victory over the…
The (Second) Richest Man in the World
Elon Musk? Bill Gates? These are part of the class of super-rich in today's world. In the ancient world control over technology, production, and transportation…
A Date for Passover
This year the calendar for Passover comes out very unusually. The night for the Passover Seder, the festive meal eaten to commemorate being liberated from…
Israel by Leiah 