The victory of the Maccabees installed the Hasmonean dynasty as the new leaders of the Jewish people. Unfortunately, their early heroism did not last in succeeding generations. Their descendants in fact became among the most corrupt Jewish leaders in our history. Beginning with the rule of the righteous Shimon Ha Maccabee and ending with the tragic Yochanan Hyrcanus, Rabbi Wein sheds light on the forces that caused the precipitous descent of the Hasmonean family.