In the era of King Antiochus Epiphanes, Israel found itself at a crossroads of faith and culture. Antiochus, an ambitious ruler, ascended the throne, bringing with him a vision of a unified realm under the cultural banner of the Greeks. In Israel, a faction arose, enamored with the allure of Gentile customs, advocating a break from their traditions. Seduced by the promise of prosperity and acceptance, they convinced many to follow, leading to the establishment of a gymnasium in Jerusalem, an emblem of Hellenistic lifestyle.