Mattathias

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Mattathias (מתתיהו Matitiyahu or Matisyahu ben Yochanan HaCohen in Hebrew) was a Jewish high priest depicted in the Books of the Maccabees, and the father of the Judah Maccabee, the leader of the Maccabees. In 170 BC, when asked by a Seleucid Greek government representative under King Antiochus IV to offer sacrifice to the Greek Gods, he not only refused to do so, but slew with his own hand the Jew who had stepped forward to do so. He then attacked the government official that required the act.

Upon the edict for his arrest, he took refuge in the wilderness of Judea with his five sons, and called upon all Jews to follow him. This was the first step in the war of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Greeks, the result of which was Jewish independence, which had not been enjoyed for 400 years. The events of the war of the Maccabees form the basis for the holiday of Hanukkah, which is celebrated by Jews on the 25th of Kislev (on the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to Mid-November to Late-December on the Gregorian Calendar).

The story of the Maccabees can be found in the deuterocanonical books of 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees and in Talmudic references (Shabbat 21b, Shabbat 23a - related to the candles).

The addition of "Al Hanisim" into the Amidah and other prayers is customary during this holiday.

House of Asamoneus
New Title	Leader of the Maccabees c. 170 BC – 167 BC	Succeeded by: Judas Maccabeus

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1907 edition of The Nuttall Encyclopaedia.