Hebron (Arabic:الخليل 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
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.
Hebron Glass
Hebron glass (zajaj al-Khalili or azaz al-Khalili) refers to glass produced in Hebron as part of a flourishing art industry established in the city during Roman rule in Palestine.For centuries, Hebron has been associated with glass production in the same way as Nablus has been associated with the production of soap. Hebron's Old City still contains a quarter named the "Glass-Blower Quarter" and Hebron glass continues to serve as a tourist attraction for the city.
Traditionally, the glass was melted using local raw materials, including sand from neighboring villages, sodium carbonate (from the Dead Sea), and coloring additives such as iron oxide and copper oxide. Nowadays, recycled glass is often used instead. Glass production in Hebron is a family trade, the secrets of which have been preserved and passed down by a few Palestinian families who operate the glass factories located just outside the city. The products made include glass jewellery, such as beads, bracelets, and rings, as well as stained glass windows, and glass lamps. However, due to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, glass production has suffered a decline and could face the challenge of survival.
The glass industry in Hebron was established during Roman rule in Palestine (63 BCE-330 CE).As the ancient Phoenician glass industry shrank from the exposed cities along the eastern Mediterranean coastline, the industry migrated inland, to Hebron in particular. Glass artifacts from Hebron dating to the 1st and 2nd centuries have been found, and are on exhibit as part of the Drake Collection. Stained glass windows which are made of Hebron glass, dating to the 12th century, are found in the structure built over the Cave of Machpelah, which served as a church during the Crusader era in Palestine. Another example of stained glass windows produced in Hebron are those at the Dome of the Rock in the Old city of Jerusalem.
With fourteen factories, Hebron glass was exported to Egypt, Syria, and the Transjordan. Camel caravans carried Hebron glass in specially designed wooden boxes that were guarded by both official armies and private guards. Glass merchants in Hebron managed to develop mercantile networks with al-Karak (Crac) in southern Jordan and Cairo in Egypt, which further helped to market the products. Since at least the 16th century, communities of Hebron expatriates became established in these two cities, and a whole social network emerged around the glass industry, which became a major employer, contributing greatly to the wealth of factory owners. Traditionally, the items produced were functional: cups, bottles, bowls, jugs, dishes, olive oil lamps, and later, various forms of petrol lamps. Jewellery and accessories, mainly for Bedouins, were also produced and sold in the Naqab, the Arabian Desert, and the Sinai.
Later in the century, the production declined due to competition from imported European glass-ware. However, the products of Hebron continued to be sold, particularly among the poorer populace, not least of all by traveling Jewish traders from the city. Even at the World Fair of 1873 in Vienna, Hebron was represented with glass ornaments. A report from the French consul in 1886 suggests that glass-making remained an important source of income for Hebron: Four factories were making 60,000 francs yearly.
Nowadays,the tradition of glassblowing continues today in three factories just north of the city, a short distance between the town of Halhul and Hebron. Two of the factories are owned by the Natsheh family. They produce primarily souvenirs, most of which are also used as household items. A large hall close to each of the factories displays wine glasses, dishes, bowls, flower pots, and other products. Although most objects are not decorated, some have artistically applied glass strings. Metallic decoration is a recent innovation of the industry. Hebron glass serves as a tourist attraction for both Palestinians and international visitors. Today, however, due to the current export problems, the decrease in the number of tourists, and the restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in the aftermath of the Second Intifada, glass production has been considerably reduced. According to Nazmi al-Ju'bah, the director of RIWAQ: Centre for Architectural Conservation, if the present situation continues, the Hebron glass-blowing industry's main challenge could be survival.
The precise production process is a trade secret, which is maintained by the few Palestinian families who run the factories which continue to produce Hebron glass today. Glass making at Hebron is an art that is based on apprenticeship. The apprentices are trained under a master from childhood and essentially grow up in the factory. Masters generally believe that adults are unsuited to learning the craft of glass production, and one master has said, "You can learn to play the 'oud at any age, but unless you begin [glasswork] as a child, you will never become a master."
According to the Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society, the blowing technique employed is the same as was used by the ancient Phoenicians,though archaeologists and historians of glass agree that glassblowing was not common until the last few centuries BCE.
The craftsman holds a long, thin iron pipe (80?100 cm) in one hand, and dips it into the molten glass inside the furnace, which is heated to 700° celsius. After withdrawing the pipe with some semi-liquid glass attached, he blows through the pipe, continuing the shaping process using a metal instrument called a kammasha. The pipe is then reentered into the furnace, reblown to further shape the object, and the kammasha is used for final shaping once again. Finally, the glass is set aside into a small chamber next to the furnace where it is cooled.
