(Information for this article is culled from material put out by Israel’s National Parks Authority.)

As Israel is still threatened on multiple fronts, it is an excellent time to deepen our connection to our holy land. In Sefer Bereishit, Hashem tells Avraham Avinu to explore the land of Israel and promises to grant the land to his descendants. Avraham Avinu then moves his tent and goes to Hebron. (Bereishit 13: 14-18) What did Hebron look like in the days of Avraham Avinu? A visit to Tel Hevron provides a small glimpse into the city of 3,000 years ago and throughout the generations.

Tel Hebron, previously known as Tel Rumeida, was first excavated at the beginning of the 20th century. Although the modern city of Hebron lies below in the valley, this mound (or tel) was actually the site of the ancient city where our great avot walked.

As we walk around the tel (which is what an archeological mound is called), we can see the remains of the city wall from the Upper Bronze Age. This was the wall from the time of the Canaanim and was most probably the wall that surrounded the city when Avraham Avinu was there and built a mizbeach. (Bereishit 13:18) Close to 230 feet of the length of the wall has been unearthed in archeological excavations. It is believed that the wall originally towered about 33 feet high.

Only a small distance away from the wall, the remnants of an inclined wall were also found. This may have been used to support the wall or may also have served as a glacis to ward off attackers. Nearby, we also see the remains of another wall. This one is dated to the 7th century BCE, the time of Malchut Yehuda. Perhaps this fortification was built to defend the city of Hebron from the pending Assyrian attack.

After the destruction of the first Beit Hamikdash by Nebuchadnezzar, Edumeans moved into Hebron. The book of Maccabees describes Yehuda HaMaccabee’s conquest of Hebron. In the 2nd century BCE, the Hasmonean King John Hyrcanus I conquered Hebron and forcibly converted the Edumeans.

In the time of King Herod, we once again see Jewish activity in Hebron. Most importantly, Herod built the structure we currently see today on top of Me’arat HaMachpeila. We also see evidence of Jewish life on the tel from two large mikvaot that were unearthed there. These huge mikvaot were discovered one beside the other, yet it is believed that they were used in slightly different eras. One was used until the destruction of the second Beit Hamikdash. The second is believed to have been used from the time of the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash until the Bar Kochbah revolt. When the Romans crushed the Bar Kochbah revolt about 60 years later, they also destroyed Jewish Hebron. These mikvaot then came to be used as water cisterns for Hebron’s gentile inhabitants.

A fascinating and chilling find was discovered here in ancient Hebron from the time of the Roman conquest. The remains of a home were unearthed and, on the floor near the opening of the home, an ancient key was found. Perhaps this was dropped by the owner as he locked his door in a panic to ward off the Roman invaders?

Ancient Hebron also housed an industrial area in the Roman era. We can still see the mosaic floor of the winepress. Nearby, we also see the remains of machinery for producing olive oil. Remains of factories for producing clay vessels were also found.

In the Byzantine era, the site of ancient Hebron served as a monastery. In the Muslim era, beginning in the 7th century, the site of the ancient city was abandoned and the city moved into the valley down below.

As we walk along the ruins of ancient Hebron and look out over Me’arat HaMachpela, we can be awed by thinking of our great avot and imahot who must have walked right around here. May we merit to emulate their greatness and inspire all of those around us!

Hava Preil is an enthusiastic licensed Israeli tour guide. She grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and holds an M.A. in Judaic studies. Hava has developed and taught accredited courses in Tanach and Jewish ethics for Naaleh/Woodmont College and Cybersem. She currently lives in Givat Ze’ev with her family. Hava can be reached at IL:054-844-1579, USA: (845) 391-0438, or at [email protected] Visit her website, Home – Hava Preil Tours, havapreiltours.com! Hava is also offering virtual tours of various sites in Israel — a perfect activity for your school, synagogue or youth group!