To be a Jew meant more than claiming physical descent from the ancient Patriarchs. It meant living according to the Law which had been given to Moses by the one and only God who had revealed himself to the ancestors of the Jews. The Law continued to reveal the will of God the Jews, governing every aspect of their life. There could be no division of life into 'secular' and 'holy' for the strict Jew. The whole of his life from birth to death should be lived according to the will of God as was shown to him in the Torah.

This strict attitude was generally maintained amongst the Jews Palestine but amongst the Jews of the communities that had become established in other countries, such as Egypt, Hellenizing influence had some effect. The Greek language was in common use and through the language came many new ideas. However closely a Jewish community in another country followed its traditional teachings, these Jews became aware of the very different life-style of other people who had adopted the Greek way of life, especially in the Greek-style cities which had been established in many places, even in Palestine.

 

The Greek culture which was being so widely adopted was connected with the ancient polytheistic religion of the Greeks, in which a pantheon of gods and goddesses was worshipped. In the Greek tradition there was study of philosophy and intellectual debate, and science; there was a great love of beauty expressed in sculpture and architecture; there was a great emphasis on physical beauty and strength. The educated man was familiar with Greek literature, poetry and music but also attended athletic contests and the Greek theatre, both of which were linked with Greek religion. The Greek style of dress was distinctive and during games and athletic contests the competitors were naked.

A young Jew living in Egypt or even an area of Palestine where Greek style cities had been established, could hardly fail to be influenced to some extent by this culture which was so different from his own and so widely followed. Hellenization produced syncretism in many forms as ideas from Greek religion and philosophy combined with other religious traditions.

 

But in spite of the great Hellenizing influences of the time, there were still many Jews, particularly in southern Palestine, who remained faithful to their traditions and it was these whom Antiochus IV angered to the point of open rebellion against him and the Hellenizing influences that he represented.