In the year 165 B.C.E., the Jews rebelled against the Syrian Greeks. They were also rebelling against the elites of the Jewish people, who had become Hellenized. This revolt was wildly successful, driving the Syrians out of Jerusalem in short order. Although battles were ongoing for more than 20 years, the Maccabean revolt lives on as one of the most glorious episodes of the second Temple period.

In the year 66 CE, the Jews rebelled against the Romans. It was a disaster. In 70, the temple was destroyed and the great exile began.

What was the difference between the two revolts? When should the Jews fight back, and when should they be passive? Or, should I say, how should they fight back or be passive?

Should Israel respond disproportionately to missiles from Gaza? Is collective punishment on a town valid after one of the townspeople committed a terrorist attack? Does deterrence justify causing harm to bystanders? These are theoretical questions. Israel does not target civilians, Israel makes every attempt to save those bystanders. The world press doesn't report this enough, and many good meaning people have swallowed the wrong information.

Nonetheless, the questions should be asked. What does Judaism think?