The Beauty of Greece
The Talmud states in Megillah 9b:
“May the beauty of Yefeth reside in the tents of Shem.”This blessing refers to the special accomplishments of the Greeks, especially in the realm of the arts and aesthetics.
According to Genesis 9:27, Noah blessed his son Yefeth:
“May God expand Yefeth, and may he dwell in the tents of Shem.”The Sages noted that Yefeth was the ancestor of ancient Greece, and his name is related to the Hebrew word yofi, meaning ‘beauty’.
The relationship between Greece and Israel was complex, with the two nations clashing violently during the Second Temple period, as seen in the story of Chanukah.
Author's summary: Greece and Israel's cultural connection.