This is the sixth installment of Arutz Sheva's eight part Hanukkah special, In The Footsteps of The Maccabees. For Part Five, click here.
Israeli historian Dr. Hagai Ben-Artzi recounts how Nicanor was sent to Jerusalem to recapture and reoccupy the Holy Temple.
Heading out to give battle, Judah the Maccabee came to Mitzpa to pray at the tomb of the prophet Samuel to the northwest of Jerusalem.
In the Valley of Givon the Maccabees took the Greeks by surprise and killed Nicanor, sending the invading troops scattering. They displayed Nicanor's head and his arm he arrogantly lifted against Jerusalem swearing he would defeat it
This was the seventh victory over the Greeks, but it wasn't the end; a new general came from the east, through the mountains of Beit El in a surprise attack with 20,000 soldiers and 2,000 horsemen versus only 800 Jewish soldiers. However, Judah refused to retreat and wait for the soldiers to return.
Judah was killed fighting bravely in battle, after attacking and finding himself surrounded. Many thought the rebellion was over - but the Maccabees were not about to give in, as Judah's brother Jonathan (Yonatan) took his place.
Stay tuned tomorrow evening for Part Seven.