A few years ago now, somebody at Quora asked the broad and fascinating question, "How has Greek philosophy influenced Christianity?" I gave a brief answer, and one that I think is pertinent to this time of year. Let's begin with Hanukkah, which actually begins at sundown on Christmas Day this year. Hanukkah -- this is a quick and rough statement -- celebrates an uprising against Greek influence, as it manifested itself in the "abomination of Desolation" (pagan sacrifices in the Temple in Jerusalem). So my answer brings in the Jews of the Second Temple period, the early Christians, and of course as requested ... the Greeks. In one mix. I hope I have stirred your curiosity. Here is the answer: Very deeply. And from the beginning. After all, the two cultures (of Judea and Greece) were merging already in the time of the Seleucid Empire. In the second century BCE the Hellenizers pressed too hard ...