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[268]
But when those that were appointed by the king were come to Modin,
that they might compel the Jews to do what they were commanded, and to
enjoin those that were there to offer sacrifice, as the king had commanded,
they desired that Mattathias, a person of the greatest character among
them, both on other accounts, and particularly on account of such a numerous
and so deserving a family of children, would begin the sacrifice, because
his fellow citizens would follow his example, and because such a procedure
would make him honored by the king. But Mattathias said he would not do
it; and that if all the other nations would obey the commands of Antiochus,
either out of fear, or to please him, yet would not he nor his sons leave
the religious worship of their country. But as soon as he had ended his
speech, there came one of the Jews into the midst of them, and sacrificed,
as Antiochus had commanded. At which Mattathias had great indignation,
and ran upon him violently, with his sons, who had swords with them, and
slew both the man himself that sacrificed, and Apelles the king's general,
who compelled them to sacrifice, with a few of his soldiers. He also overthrew
the idol altar, and cried out, "If," said he," any one be
zealous for the laws of his country, and for the worship of God, let him
follow me." And when he had said this, he made haste into the desert
with his sons, and left all his substance in the village. Many others did
the same also, and fled with their children and wives into the desert,
and dwelt in caves. But when the king's generals heard this, they took
all the forces they then had in the citadel at Jerusalem, and pursued the
Jews into the desert; and when they had overtaken them, they in the first
place endeavored to persuade them to repent, and to choose what was most
for their advantage, and not put them to the necessity of using them according
to the law of war. But when they would not comply with their persuasions,
but continued to be of a different mind, they fought against them on the
sabbath day, and they burnt them as they were in the caves, without resistance,
and without so much as stopping up the entrances of the caves. And they
avoided to defend themselves on that day, because they were not willing
to break in upon the honor they owed the sabbath, even in such distresses;
for our law requires that we rest upon that day. There were about a thousand,
with their wives and children, who were smothered and died in these caves;
but many of those that escaped joined themselves to Mattathias, and appointed
him to be their ruler, who taught them to fight, even on the sabbath day;
and told them that unless they would do so, they would become their own
enemies, by observing the law [so rigorously], while their adversaries
would still assault them on this day, and they would not then defend themselves,
and that nothing could then hinder but they must all perish without fighting.
This speech persuaded them. And this rule continues among us to this day,
that if there be a necessity, we may fight on sabbath days. So Mattathias
got a great army about him, and overthrew their idol altars, and slew those
that broke the laws, even all that he could get under his power; for many
of them were dispersed among the nations round about them for fear of him.
He also commanded that those boys which were not yet circumcised should
be circumcised now; and he drove those away that were appointed to hinder
such their circumcision.
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