OFF THE BEATEN TRACK: Ancient Hebron (Part 3)

Tomb of the Patriarchs (Shutterstock) (Shutterstock)

“Some of the children of Judah (returning from the Babylonian exile) settled in the villages, in their open areas: in Kiryat Arbah (i.e. Hebron) and its suburbs” (Nehemiah 11:25)

By Nosson Shulman, Licensed Tour Guide

After the destruction of the first Temple in 422 BCE (some say 586 BCE) the Jewish people were exiled to Babylonia. Never before, had a people been driven from their homeland yet observed their customs for more than a few years. It would only be a matter of time until they assimilated and ceased being a distinct nation of their own. But G-d had different plans!

The Babylonian Empire at its Zenith (in Pink)

Fifty years later the mighty Persian Empire conquered Babylonia and its territory, becoming the new rulers of Israel. Miraculously, during this time the Jewish people had remained a distinct nation who had preserved their religion. Their yearning to return one day to their homeland had never ceased.

The new Persian King Cyrus issued a proclamation that the Jewish people had permission to return to Israel. He even gave them the right to rebuild their Temple.

Under Ezra and Nehemiah, 50,000 Jews returned to Israel with some moving to Hebron (Nehemiah 11:25). In their 50-year absence the Edomites had moved into the Hebron region, settling in the once Jewish land. Now the two peoples, who had waged war on and off for centuries, had to live side by side together

The Persian empire was eventually conquered by the Greeks. As time passed, they began to oppress the Jewish inhabitants, including passing capital laws which restricted Jewish religious practices. In 167 BCE a small group of Torah observant rebels (known as the Maccabees) revolted. They eventually overthrew the Greeks and re-established an independent Jewish State. Judah the Maccabee overtook Hebron, and his successors made it into a Jewish city. Several generations later (circa 125 BCE) the Maccabees forcibly converted the Idumeans to Judaism (although forced conversions are not valid in Judaism, by this time the Maccabean rulers were no longer fully Torah observant).

The Hasmonaean (Maccabee) Kingdom at its zenith included land in today’s Israel, Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon (circa 100 BCE)

One of those Idumeans who became “Jewish” was Antipater, the father of the infamous King Herod.

King Herod who built the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron

In 63 BCE, the Romans took over Israel. Antipater assisted the Romans with the conquest and as a reward for his help, they appointed his son Herod when he became of age, to be the puppet King of Israel (although Herod ruled the land, he did so only because the Romans let him. Ultimately the Romans had the final say in all decisions).

Herod built a massive structure over the cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron where Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives were buried. This structure still stands at its original heights in pristine shape (for more on the Cave of the Patriarchs, Click here).

The more than 2000- year- old structure built by Herod is the oldest building in the world still in continuous use

In Herod’s time, Hebron’s Jewish population was largely religious.

Mikvahs (Ritual Baths) from the Second Temple Era in Hebron, which testify to the level of religious observance of its population

Also, Jews from all over the world continued to come and pray at the Cave of the Patriarchs, the second holiest site in Judaism after the Temple in Jerusalem.

Model of the Second Temple which stood in Jerusalem until it’s destruction in 70 CE

As time progressed, the Roman rulers of the land began to oppress its Jewish population. By 66 CE Roman rule had become so unbearable, that the entire country revolted and expelled the Roman army from its borders. The Romans began sending legion after legion into Israel in order to re-conquer it. By 73 BCE though they had suffered heavy losses, the Romans had entirely put down the rebellion and destroyed the Holy Temple. Jerusalem was turned into inhabitable rubble.

The Roman Emperor Titus thought that the Jewish people would not be able to sustain their religion without their precious Temple. This was because anytime the Romans had conquered lands, they first destroyed their local religious places of worship. Subsequently, its inhabitants would take on the Roman religion because the Roman “gods” had “beaten” their “gods”. Without a Temple, the Romans reasoned, the Jews would become Roman and cease being a distinct people. But once again, G-d had different plans.

To be continued (for part 4, click here)

Did you know that you can now actually tour Hebron from the comfort of your own home as if you were actually there? Check out my Hebron tour video

To see a sample, private Israel (day trip) tour itinerary of the area which includes Hebron (Chevron), click here. To view his sample Gaza Envelope tour itinerary, click here.

Nosson Shulman is a licensed tour guide and trip organizer in Israel who specializes in History, Tanach (Bible) and Adventure Tours. For itineraries click here. Check out his new virtual tours including free sneak preview videos.

Send Passover Packages to Needy Israeli Soldiers - Bring Them Joy!

We are honored to thank the young men and women of the IDF who risk their lives every day to protect the citizens of Israel. Soldiers have been in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria for extended periods - many are hoping to come home for Passover.

Join us in sending Passover food packages (and personal notes) to Israeli soldiers and their families.

Many soldiers spend the Passover holiday with needy families back home. The soldiers greatly appreciate your love and concern. Bring them Passover joy!

CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR PACKAGE AND NOTE TO ISRAELI SOLDIERS!