Antiochus IV Epiphanes ruled the Seleucid Empire (including parts of modern-day Syria, Turkey, and Iran) from 175 BCE until his death in 164 BCE. Antiochus IV was a son of King Antiochus III the Great. Antiochus IV banned the observance of the Shabbat (Sabbath), made circumcision a crime, outlawed Biblical dietary laws, festivals, Jewish traditions,… Continue reading Happy Hanukkah!