The Maccabee, Part I.
The craze for Hellenism and foreign customs reached such a pitch, through the outrageous wickedness of the ungodly pseudo-high-priest Jason, that the priests no longer cared about the service of the altar. Disdaining the temple and neglecting the sacrifices, they hastened, at the signal of the discus-throwing, to take part in the unlawful, nude exercises on the athletic field. They despised what their ancestors had regarded as honors, while they highly prized what the Greeks esteemed as glory. Because of this, they found themselves in serious trouble. The very people whose manner of life they emulated, and whom they desired to imitate in everything, became their enemies and oppressors. It is no light matter to ignore the laws of God, as the following period will show...
- II Maccabees 4:13-17
IMPORTANT: The Maccabee is an on-going series of articles relevant to the Maccabees and the Judeo-Christian tradition they represent. Topics in the future will include Judaism, Christianity, Ancient History, and the Book of the Maccabees I - IV. This particular post happens to be Part I of many more interesting articles to come.
Part I. Jewish Wisdom, Humor, and Advice
Here is a selection of some quality Jewish sayings to celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas, the two Holidays of Maccabee Judaism and and Maccabee Christianity. Please enjoy!
A bird that you set free may be caught again, but a word that escapes your lips will not return.
- Jewish Advice
A mother understands what a child does not say.
- Jewish Saying
A pessimist, confronted with two bad choices, chooses both.
- Jewish Observation
As he thinks in his heart, so he is.
- Jewish Proverb
As you teach, you learn.
- Jewish Saying
Ask about your neighbors, then buy the house.
- Jewish Humor
Do not be wise in words - be wise in deeds.
- Jewish Advice
Don't be sweet, otherwise you'll be eaten up. Don't be bitter, otherwise you'll be spewed out.
- Jewish Advice
Don't live in a town where there are no doctors.
- Jewish Stereotype
Don't look for more honor than your learning merits.
- Jewish Advice
First mend yourself, and then mend others.
- Jewish Proverb
He that can't endure the bad, will not live to see the good.
- Jewish Wisdom
If charity cost nothing, the world would be full of philanthropists.
- Jewish Humor
If God lived on earth, people would break his windows.
- Jewish Observation
If not for fear, sin would be sweet.
- Jewish Proverb
If the rich could hire the poor to die for them, the poor would make a very nice living.
- Jewish Humor
Make sure to be in with your equals if you're going to fall out with your superiors.
- Jewish Advice
Not to have felt pain is not to have been human.
- Jewish Proverb
Rejoice not at thine enemy's fall - but don't rush to pick him up either.
- Jewish Humor
What you don't see with your eyes, don't invent with your mouth.
- Jewish Proverb
Worries go down better with soup than without.
- Jewish Observation
May the LORD God bless you in the name of the Maccabees.
