(Photo credit: Uriah Heller)
250 people visited the Elonei Mamre archaeological site and Herod’s Walls in
Hebron this week. The tour corresponded to this week’s Torah parsha of Vayeira which
describes Abraham’s dwelling in Mamre. (Genesis 18:01)
Hebron this week. The tour corresponded to this week’s Torah parsha of Vayeira which
describes Abraham’s dwelling in Mamre. (Genesis 18:01)
After the revolt of the Jewish leader Shimon Bar Kochba against the Roman
occupiers, (132–136 BCE), many Jews were captured by the Romans and sold into slavery at
this site.
occupiers, (132–136 BCE), many Jews were captured by the Romans and sold into slavery at
this site.
The tour was organized by Midreshet Hevron and took place late at night,
similar to visits to the Tomb of Joseph and other historical site now under the
jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority. The group saw Palestinian Authority flags
hung from the lamp-posts as they walked down into the site. Several huge banners for
Herbawi mattress factory, a large and successful PA-based company, were visable on the
towering buildings around the site.
similar to visits to the Tomb of Joseph and other historical site now under the
jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority. The group saw Palestinian Authority flags
hung from the lamp-posts as they walked down into the site. Several huge banners for
Herbawi mattress factory, a large and successful PA-based company, were visable on the
towering buildings around the site.
Since the 1997
Hebron Accords, Elonei Mamre has been one of four heritage sites inaccessible
to non-PA residents except in rare circumstances.
Hebron Accords, Elonei Mamre has been one of four heritage sites inaccessible
to non-PA residents except in rare circumstances.
The walls of Elonei Mamre are dated back to the time of King Herod and many
of the bricks are of Herodian architecture similar to the Tomb of Machpela complex and
the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
of the bricks are of Herodian architecture similar to the Tomb of Machpela complex and
the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
Also on the site is a well, now dry and empty which for generations has
been referred to as Abraham’s Well.
been referred to as Abraham’s Well.
The site is mentioned by travelers of the Middle Ages such as Benjamin of
Tudela, Petachia of Ratisbon and in the book Yihus HaAvot.
Tudela, Petachia of Ratisbon and in the book Yihus HaAvot.
The Jewish Community of Hebron thanks the IDF Judea Brigade, Hebron
spokesperson Noam Arnon, Midreshet Hevron college, and all the people who came with a
sense of daring an appreciation for archaeology, and a desire to connect the past to the
present. Special thank you to Uriah Heller, photographer.
spokesperson Noam Arnon, Midreshet Hevron college, and all the people who came with a
sense of daring an appreciation for archaeology, and a desire to connect the past to the
present. Special thank you to Uriah Heller, photographer.
For full article on the history of the site click here.
For more photos visit our Facebook page by clicking
here.
here.
For more information on Midreshet Hevron click here.
To arrange a guided tour of Hebron contact
us:
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
In Israel contact the offices of the Jewish Community of Hebron at:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES:
* Oak of Mamre: Eshel Avraham
Once Attracted Masses to Hebron
* History
of Elonei Mamre
* Shimon Bar Kochba and
Hebron
us:
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
In Israel contact the offices of the Jewish Community of Hebron at:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES:
* Oak of Mamre: Eshel Avraham
Once Attracted Masses to Hebron
* History
of Elonei Mamre
* Shimon Bar Kochba and
Hebron
