The Seleucids went on an aggressive program of Hellenization and succeeded in getting a bunch of Jews to do that, up to and including offering sacrifice to Zeus, etc. Read up on the Maccabees.
Short story: In 167BC, Antiochus IV forbids traditional Jewish worship and sells the office of High Priest and when he's kicked out, saks the Temple and reinstalls him. Antiochus forbade Jewish worship (including circumcision and observation of the Sabbath). A certain Matthias refuses to go along with this or offer sacrifice to the Greek gods. In fact, he kills a Hellenistic Jew who tries to sacrifice in his place and starts a revolt. The Maccabees (in particular Matthias' son Judah) defeats the Seleucids and resanctifies the Temple, restoring traditional Jewish worship.
In 142BC, after a Seleucid civil war, the last son of Matthias recognizes the factions. In return, they were exempted from tribute and though they remained part of the Seleucid Empire, they had self rule and the Seleucids made no further attempt to forbid Jewish religion. By 139BC, they have treaties with Rome.
Short story: In 167BC, Antiochus IV forbids traditional Jewish worship and sells the office of High Priest and when he's kicked out, saks the Temple and reinstalls him. Antiochus forbade Jewish worship (including circumcision and observation of the Sabbath). A certain Matthias refuses to go along with this or offer sacrifice to the Greek gods. In fact, he kills a Hellenistic Jew who tries to sacrifice in his place and starts a revolt. The Maccabees (in particular Matthias' son Judah) defeats the Seleucids and resanctifies the Temple, restoring traditional Jewish worship.
In 142BC, after a Seleucid civil war, the last son of Matthias recognizes the factions. In return, they were exempted from tribute and though they remained part of the Seleucid Empire, they had self rule and the Seleucids made no further attempt to forbid Jewish religion. By 139BC, they have treaties with Rome.