ESSAY ACTIVITIES

This essay is divided into two parts.

Part 1: History versus Tradition After reading the article above, focus your attention on the comparison the author makes between the tradition of Chanukah (Hannukah) and the historical description from 1 and 2 Maccabees.

Provide a 750-word essay (3 pages, double spaced) on the differences and similarities between tradition and (ancient) history. How did each one function? Asked another way: What was their purpose?

Your mark will be out of 10. I expect to see (1) similarities discussed (this means to state what the similarity is, and then to explain the significance you see in this similarity), (2) differences and their significance discussed, and (3) a brief (one or two sentences) opening and closing.

Part 2: Martyrdom of the Seven Brothers: Is it a Tradition or History? Read the passage about the Martyrdom of the Seven Brothers from 2 Maccabees 7, provided below, and provide 1-2 sentences on each of the following questions:

(1) What is the author’s opinion of the King in this passage?
(2) What is the author’s opinion of the Jews in this passage?

(3) How does the author make you feel about what is happening? What is the author’s goal in recounting this episode?
(4) Do you think this was written by a Jewish author or a Seleucid Greek author?

(5) Provide 4–6 sentences, or a short account of this episode from the perspective of the King. How would the King’s account differ from the version seen here?