Why did the Greeks specifically make decrees against milah, shabbos and Rosh Chodesh? The Gemorah asks how can we make a beracha on lighting Chanukah candles if it is only a rabbinic enactment. There were earlier enactments, so why is the Gemorah only bothered about Chanukah candles? באו בניך לדביר ביתך, why use the title of בנים here? Why did the Greeks make a ruling for the Jews to write that אין לכם חלק באלוקי ישראל
The Bnei Yissochar (maamer 4 #88) cites from the Chidah that in the three mitzvot of milah, Shabbos and Chodesh is demonstrated the special, unique relationship that Hashem has with Klal Yisroel that they are called בנים. Shabbos is given only to Klal Yisroel because Shabbos is declared kodesh by Hashem, designated for Hashm and only those that are בנים can use the property of the the king. The Zohar says those that keep milah are called בנים and Chosesh is where even Hashem follows the decleration of the Beis Din because Klal Yisroel is called בנים. The Greeks wanted to uproot this unique connection Klal Yisroel has to Hashem.
What is the root of this special connection? It is part of the makeup of Klal Yisroel. The Jewish geans, inherited from the Avos make Klal Yisroel special irrespective of one's standing. The Greeks understood that the study of wisdom could make a person greater but they could not fathom how Klal Yisroel is special innately because of their relationship to the Avos. That is the intent of writing אין לכם חלק באלוקי ישראל. The Greeks wanted to say you are not connected automatically to the chosen nation. That is why the Gemorah asks about the beracha on ner Chanukah specifically. The Gemorah wants to know what is the source of the power of the Chachamimto add a mitzvah. The Gemorah is not just asking a halachik question but wants to know where does the ability come for. The Gemorah answers שאל אביך ויגד לך, the power comes from the innate Jewish genes passed down through the generations (from Pachad Yitkchak maamer 4 and Yerach L'moadim siman 24.)
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