In the face of persecution, they found the strength to cling to their faith, defying the decrees of the Greeks. A turbulent, painful, and moving account from Jerusalem

Hello, Miriam,

I hope you and your family are doing well in Alexandria. Forgive me for skipping the pleasantries, but I simply must tell you what’s going on here, in Eretz HaKodesh.

As you know, Alexander the Great ruled the whole world in his time. There has been no leader like him since, especially once the Greek Empire was split into four, which greatly weakened it. But the new emperor of Greece, Antiochus, is following in the path of Alexander. They say he is young and ambitious, cruel and devious, and that he has decided to conquer the whole world.

Fifty-two nations have already fallen into his hands. He conquered their lands, imprisoned their warriors, and burned down their houses of idol worship. And still, he forges ahead….

You are probably laughing to yourself and wondering why I care. But my fears are not far-fetched. Such rulers have always been bad for us. Remember what Abba used to say — HaKadosh Baruch Hu doesn’t allow Am Yisrael to fall into the hands of a weak nation. Still, I pray that Antiochus’s success is just the pride that precedes his downfall.

Aside from that, all are in good health.

Take care of yourself,

Rachel, a daughter of Shevet Levi

Dearest Miriam,

That which I most feared has happened.

My dear husband returned from the Mikdash and related that the Kohanim say that Antiochus has convened his ministers and told them that the Jews are waiting for the day that his kingdom will fall, and that we pray that our G-d should rule very soon, and therefore, it is fitting to destroy us.

May Hashem protect us and save us!

Rachel, a daughter of Shevet Levi