Hebron (El-Khalil)
Hebron is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the world. Its
Arabic name, Khalil al-Rahman, means 'The Friend of God'. Hebron is
closely identified with Abraham and is regarded as holy by Christians,
Muslims, and Jews. According to tradition, Abraham pitched his tent in
Hebron's plain of Mamre. When his wife Sarah died, Abraham bought the cave
of Machpela from Ephron the Hittite and buried her there. Located in the
center of Hebron, the Tomb of the Patriarchs became the tomb of the
patriarchs and their wives. Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Rebecca, Leah, and
Jacob, were all buried there.
Hebron lies in a mountainous region south of Jerusalem at an
altitude of 1000 meters above sea level. Among its interesting features
are the narrow and winding streets, the flat-roofed stone houses, and the
old bazaars. It is famous for its blown glass, ceramic, leather, and
cotton products as well as its variety of choice grapes.
Al-Haram al-Ibrahimi
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Al-Haram
is a formidable rectangular building, which looks like a fortress. The
construction of the walls and pavement is the work of King Herod. Inside, a
vaulted Crusader church has been turned into a mosque housing the tomb of the
prophets and their wives.
Inside the mosque is the Mihrab, made of multi-colored marble and fine mosaics.
The carved walnut Minbar, or pulpit
next to it is a masterpiece of intricate workmanship. Another fine pulpit
brought by Salah ad-Din from Egypt, stands near the praying alcove. Additional
Crusader and Mamluk structures combine to make al-Haram one of the most
impressive ancient monuments in Palestine. There are six tombs in the Mosque of
Abraham, which are said to stand directly above the graves of the prophets and
their wives buried in the Cave of el-Anbia.
Oak Of Abraham
An oak tree 2 km west
of Hebron marks the legendary site where Abraham pitched his tent. Excavations
in 1926-28 revealed a Herodian enclosure with a well in its southwestern corner.
Until recently, pilgrims used to peel pieces of the trunk for good luck.
However, now the Russian Orthodox Church who owns the site and the nearby monastery
has wrapped the trunk with steel braces for protection.
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