Table of Contents
Megilas Antiochus-Background, Authenticity, and Content:[1]
Megillas Antiochus is a historical record of the events that surrounded the Chanukah miracle.
Its various names: Megillas Antiochus is also known by the names of: Megillas Chanukah, Megillas Beis Chashmonai[2], and Megillas Yevanis.
Its authenticity: The Megillah is quoted in classical scholarly literature of Poskim[3], and is authentic.[4] It is seemingly the oldest recorded historical literature of the Chanukah story.[5]
Is it part of Tanach?[6] No. Megillas Antiochus is not considered one of the 24 books of Tanach, and the last of the books of Tanach is Megillas Esther. Nonetheless, this Megillah was sanctified and treated as if it were one of the books of Scripture. Rav Sadia Gaon in his introduction to his translation of Megillas Antiochus testifies that the Megillah was broken down to Parshiyos, and verses, together with punctuation and Taamim, as is done with all books of Scripture. In many old publications of the Tanach, Megillas Antiochus was published at the conclusion of the 24 books.
What language was it written in? It was originally written in Aramaic. Later on it was translated to Arabic by Rabbi Sadya Gaon, and then later on was translated to Lashon Hakodesh.
Who authored it and when was it written? Some[7] say it was written in the times of the Chashmonaim, close to the time of the miracles, by the children of Matisyahu. Others[8] say and was written by the elders of Beis Shamaiy and Beis Hillel.
Reading on Chanukah: The Rishonim[9] record a tradition of some communities to read Megillas Antiochus during Chanukah. Nonetheless, they emphasize it is to be read without a blessing being that there is no root for this obligation.[10] The custom of reading of Megillas Antiochus during Chanukah is followed until today by Algerian Jewry, and is published in a number of Siddurim.
Why was the Megillah named after Antiochus?[11] The mystical meaning of the Chanukah miracle and its annual significance, is in the transforming of the outside to holiness; lighting the candles of Holiness to the public darkness, and thereby enlightening it. Thus, the Megillah is called by the name of Antiochus, the wicked king, as it represents turning the side of evil into Holiness. Other historical works of the Chanukah story: There are two other major historical works which exist that contain the Chanukah story: 1. The book of Josephus: The book of Josephus is a classical Jewish work on the history of the Jews in the Roman era. Unlike other history books, the Poskim[12] rule that the book of Josephus is permitted to be read. Nonetheless, its historical accuracy has been questioned.[13] 2. The book of the Maccabean: The book of the Maccabean, which comes in four volumes, is considered amongst the Sefarim Chitzonim[14], the secular books, which the sages negated its reading, despite its potential historical accuracy. Certainly, we do not rely on its historical accuracy, especially when it contradicts traditions and words of the sages. Discrepancies between it and the story written in Megillas Antiochus: Megillas Antiochus carries the upper hand in historical accuracy over the story as it is depicted by Josephus or in the book of the Maccabean, being that is the official historical chronicles written and accepted by the sages. Amongst the discrepancies found in the accounts of the story of Hanukkah within these various historical works, we find the following: 1. When did Matisyahu and his son Judah die? According to Josephus, Matisyahu died before the war began with the Greeks, while according to Megillas Antiochus he survived the war, and his son Judah died during the war prior to him. 2. The miracle of the oil: The famous miracle of the oil lasted for eight days is not recorded in Josephus nor in the book of the Maccabees, however it is recorded in some versions of Megillas Antiochus, and likewise in the Talmud. |
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[1] See “Megillas Antiochus Hamurcheves” by Natan Fried for a full essay on the history of this work
[2] So is written in all old Yemenite manuscripts
[3] Tosafus Rid Sukkah 44a; Shivlei Haleket 174; Likkutei Sichos 6:368
[4] Sichas Motzei Zos Chanukah 5734; and 4738
[5] Otzer Midrashim p. 185 that seemingly it predates Sefer Chashmonaim
[6] See Yuma 29a that Megillas Esther is the last of the Holy books; Shaar Hamoadim Chanukah p. 77
[7] Rav Sadya Gaon in Sefer Hagaluiy
[8] Bahag Hilchos Sofrim p. 282
[9] See Tosafus Rid Sukkah 44a; Shibulei Haleket 174; See Likkutei Sichos 6:368
[10] Tosafus Rid ibid
[11] Shaarei Hamoadim Chanukah p. 79
[12] See Admur 307:30; Likkutei Sichos 23 footnote 345
[13] See Igros Kodesh 21:214
[14] See Mishneh Sanhedrin 10:1; However, see Tosafus Yom Tov on Megillah 3 and Aruch Hashulchan 671 who quotes the Sefer
Topic | Details |
Name | Megillas Antiochus, Megillas Chanukah, Megillas Beis Chashmonai, Megillas Yevanis |
Nature | Historical record of events surrounding the Chanukah miracle |
Authenticity | Quoted in classical scholarly literature of Poskim, authentic, seemingly oldest recorded historical literature of the Chanukah story |
Part of Tanach? | No, not one of the 24 books of Tanach; last book is Megillas Esther |
Special Treatment | Sanctified and treated as if it were one of the books of Scripture, broken down to Parshiyos and verses with punctuation and Taamim (Rav Sadia Gaon) |
Publication in Tanach | Published at the conclusion of the 24 books in many old publications |
Original Language | Aramaic |
Translations | Arabic by Rabbi Sadya Gaon, then Lashon Hakodesh |
Authorship | Some say written in times of Chashmonaim by children of Matisyahu; others say by elders of Beis Shamaiy and Beis Hillel |
Reading on Chanukah | Tradition in some communities, read without blessing, custom followed by Algerian Jewry, published in Siddurim |
Reason for Name | Named after Antiochus, the wicked king, representing turning evil into Holiness |
Other Historical Works | Book of Josephus (permitted to be read, accuracy questioned), Book of the Maccabean (four volumes, Sefarim Chitzonim, sages negated reading, not relied on for accuracy) |
Megillas Antiochus – Formal Translation
King Antiochus:
In the days of Antiochus, the king of Greece—a mighty ruler who reigned over all other kingdoms—he conquered numerous nations and subdued powerful monarchs. He destroyed and burned their sanctuaries, laid waste to their edifices, and poisoned their inhabitants. Antiochus established a grand city upon the seashore to serve as his capital, naming it after himself: the land of Antiocha.
Bagram the Viceroy:
Bagram, his viceroy, likewise founded a province opposite Antiocha, calling it Bagrim after his own name—a name that endures to this day.
The Campaign Against Jerusalem
In the twenty-third year of his reign, corresponding to the 213th year of the Second Temple, Antiochus set forth to wage war against Jerusalem. He declared to his men:
“Do you not know that there is a nation dwelling in Jerusalem—the Jews—who neither sacrifice to our gods nor adopt our customs? They forsake the will of the king to uphold the laws of their faith. They await the downfall of all gentile kingdoms, believing their God will grant them dominion over the earth. It is unbefitting our sovereignty to permit such a nation to exist. Let us therefore wage war against them and sever their covenant with their God. We shall decree that they may not observe the commandments of Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh, and circumcision.”
This counsel pleased all his princes and attendants.
General Nicanor Overthrows Jerusalem
Antiochus dispatched his general, Nicanor, with a vast army to Judea and Jerusalem. They slaughtered multitudes and erected an altar to idols within the Beis Hamikdash—the sanctuary wherein the Divine Presence was promised to dwell eternally. There they sacrificed a swine and offered its blood in the Holy Place.
Yochanan, Son of Matisyahu the Kohen Gadol
When Yochanan, son of Matisyahu the High Priest, learned of this desecration, his wrath was kindled; his countenance altered as he devised a plan for vengeance. He forged a double-edged sword, two cubits in length and one span in breadth, concealing it beneath his garments.
The Assassination of Nicanor
Yochanan approached the gates of the king in Jerusalem and said to the guards:
“I am Yochanan, son of Matisyahu. I seek audience with Nicanor.”
The guards informed Nicanor, who consented. When Yochanan stood before him, Nicanor said:
“You are among the rebels who defy the king and spurn peace.”
Yochanan replied:
“My lord, it is true. I have come to submit to your will.”
Nicanor commanded:
“If so, take a swine and sacrifice it upon the altar of idolatry. I shall clothe you in royal garments and grant you to ride the king’s horse as one of his favored companions.”
Feigning compliance, Yochanan answered:
“I fear to do this before others, lest my brethren hear and stone me. Remove your men, and I shall fulfill your command.”
Nicanor agreed and dismissed his attendants. Yochanan then lifted his eyes heavenward and prayed:
“O God of my fathers—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov—deliver me not into the hands of this uncircumcised one, lest he boast that his idols prevailed.”
Advancing three steps, Yochanan thrust his sword into Nicanor’s heart and cast his body upon the floor of the Azarah before God. He prayed again:
“Lord, regard not this act as sin, that I have slain a man in Your holy place. Deliver all our enemies into our hands.”
That day Yochanan smote seventy-two thousand of the enemy. He erected a monument to commemorate his valor, and it was called Maccabee—Slayer of the Mighty.
Antiochus Seeks Revenge – Bagram the Wicked
When Antiochus heard of Nicanor’s death, he grieved greatly and dispatched Bagram the Wicked to lead the campaign. They decreed the abolition of the covenant—prohibiting Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh, and circumcision. Bagram slew multitudes and enforced cruel edicts.
One Jew who circumcised his son was hanged together with the child’s mother before the infant. A widow, having circumcised her son on the eighth day, ascended the walls of Jerusalem and proclaimed:
“Bagram the Wicked, you shall not succeed in erasing the covenant of our fathers. Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh, and circumcision shall never depart from our seed.”
She cast her child down and leapt after him, dying together. Many others likewise chose martyrdom rather than forsake the covenant.
A thousand Jews fled to a cave to guard the Shabbos. Bagram’s soldiers enticed them with food and wine to desecrate the day; when they refused, the soldiers set fire to the cave, consuming all within.
The Guerrilla Warfare of Matisyahu’s Sons
After these tragedies, the sons of Matisyahu—Yochanan and his four brothers—rose against the oppressors and slew many in reward for their steadfast faith. Bagram fled to Antiochus, confessing:
“Not all the nations combined can overcome these five sons of Matisyahu. They are stronger than lions and swifter than eagles.”
He advised Antiochus to summon all generals, armies, artillery, and elephants from every realm. Antiochus consented and amassed a vast force. Bagram breached Jerusalem anew, shattering the Temple walls in thirteen places and grinding its stones to dust.
The five brothers withdrew to Mitzpeh Gilead, fasting and praying upon ashes. Matisyahu blessed each son—Yehuda, Shimon, Yochanan, Yonason, and Elazar—with strength. They returned to battle and vanquished the enemy. Yehuda fell in combat; his brothers mourned but pressed on. At last, God delivered the foe into their hands, and none remained.
The Death of Elazar
Elazar, charged with slaying the elephants, perished tragically—drowned in the filth of one beast.
Victory, Purification, and the Miracle of Oil
Israel rejoiced, burning Bagram alive. Antiochus, upon hearing of his defeat, fled from land to land, spurned everywhere. The Hasmoneans purified the Temple, rebuilt its gates and walls, and cleansed the Azarah.
They sought oil for the Menorah and found but one sealed jar—sufficient for a single day. Yet God wrought a miracle: the oil burned for eight days. Therefore, the Hasmoneans ordained these eight days as a festival of joy and thanksgiving, like the sacred days of the Torah. Candles are kindled to proclaim the miracle that God performed for us.
Megillas Antiochus – (Table Format)
Section | Summary |
King Antiochus | Antiochus, king of Greece, conquered many nations, destroyed sanctuaries, and poisoned inhabitants. He built a grand coastal city named Antiocha as his capital. |
Bagram the Viceroy | Bagram, Antiochus’ viceroy, established a province opposite Antiocha, naming it Bagrim, a name that remains to this day. |
The Campaign Against Jerusalem | In the 23rd year of his reign (213th year of Second Temple), Antiochus resolved to attack Jerusalem, accusing Jews of rejecting Greek gods and customs. He decreed bans on Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh, Mila. |
General Nicanor Overthrows Jerusalem | Nicanor led a vast army, slaughtered Jews, and desecrated the Beis Hamikdash by erecting an idol altar and sacrificing a swine in the Holy Place. |
Yochanan’s Resolve | Yochanan, son of Matisyahu the Kohen Gadol, enraged by the desecration, forged a double-edged sword and concealed it beneath his garments. |
The Assassination of Nicanor | Yochanan tricked Nicanor, prayed to God, and killed him in the Azarah. He slew 72,000 enemies that day and erected a monument called Maccabee – Slayer of the Mighty. |
Antiochus Seeks Revenge | Antiochus mourned Nicanor and sent Bagram to enforce bans on Jewish covenantal laws. Jews chose martyrdom over apostasy; 1,000 were burned alive in a cave for refusing to desecrate Shabbos. |
Guerrilla Warfare of Matisyahu’s Sons | Matisyahu’s five sons fought valiantly, defeating Greek forces despite overwhelming odds. Yehuda fell in battle; brothers continued fighting and ultimately annihilated enemy forces. |
Death of Elazar | Elazar died while attempting to kill elephants, drowning in their filth. |
Victory and Miracle of Oil | Jews rejoiced, burned Bagram alive, and purified the Temple. They found one sealed jar of oil, which miraculously lasted eight days. The Hasmoneans instituted an annual festival of light and joy. |
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