Housekeeping

Yesterday, I wrote: "I'm waiting to hear from my expert on whether or not women carried arms alongside the Maccabees. S/he thinks it might be otherwise."

S/he, as it turns out thinks nothing of the sort. I misremembered. When I pressed for verification yesterday, s/he said, "IIRC, Maccabee women did not participate in battles." S/he also confirmed that Miriam daughter of Matisyahu, who was mentioned on the thread, is most likely a late legend.

Incidently, I advise those of you who do not have, in your pocket, an expert on Jewish antiquity to procure one at once. They come in very handy, and are often fun to trot out at parties.