Apart from this, it was also a struggle by the Jewish people for their spiritual continuity. Their religion and culture, the very essence of Jewish existence, was threatened by a dominating civilization. They resisted both personal and spiritual annihilation.

Even today, when celebrating Hanukkah, Jews all over the world are still mindful of the analogy between the Hasmoneans' resistance to Hellenism and the modern-day dilemma of the Jewish people wanting to preserve their faith and traditions whilst surrounded by different cultures and religions.