As we were getting up early in the morning we were cheered up by the distinct sound of the muslin from the next door mosque. Some of my classmates say that it wakes them up every morning (really early). However I must confess that I don’t hear it even with my window overlooking the mosque. Anyway today I did hear it as I was getting ready for our trip to Hebron. The city doesn’t enjoy good publicity as there is a constant tension between Palestinians and Israelis there. Some people may still remember the killing of some worshippers in the mosque and big riots that followed. Currently the city is the flashpoint in Israeli-Palestinian relationship. One may wonder what is so special about Hebron. Well, people have lived there for 4000 years. But the most important thing is that the place is associated with Abraham. Genesis 13:18 says: “”Abraham moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.” Here it is believed that Abraham had a visit from some tree mysterious men. The Scriptures say that it was the Lord appearing to Abraham. First he was told that his old wife Sarah would have a son. Then there is the famous bargaining when the Lord revealed to Abraham that he would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for the sins of the inhabitants. Abraham was trying to save a city by appealing for the sake of the righteous living there. However as we read we read Genesis we learn that there weren’t even ten righteous people in the city and it was destroyed.Hebron is also known for its special shrine called the Cave of Machpelah. When Abraham’s wife Sarah died he bought the cave from one of the inhabitants to bury her. In the same cave Abraham was also buried. Here also Abraham’s son Isaac and his wife Rebekah and Abraham’s grandson Jacob and his wife Leah were also buried. That’s why the place is called the Tomb of Patriarchs and Matriarchs.
Hebron was also the capital of King David who ruled here for seven years after the death of Soul. Here the tribes of Israel came to ask David to be their King. Later King Herod the Great (the same who tried killed the Baby Jesus) built a monumental structure over the cave of Machpelah. The structure built by Herod remains almost intact and gives the visitor a hint of what the temple area in Jerusalem must have looked like before it was destroyed by Romans in A.D. 70.
Today the city is predominantly Arab with a small population of 400 Jews. These 400 Jews however have 500 soldiers protecting them here. The main tension comes from the fact that both Jews and Muslims regard Abraham and other Patriarchs as Holy Men and claim that the site should belong to them. The building over the cave with the Tombs of Patriarchs and Matriarchs is divided at the moment a section belongs to Muslims and a section belongs to Jews. After the
fatal shooting I mentioned before it is forbidden for Jews to enter the Muslim
section and for Muslims to enter the Jewish section. As I was standing there reflecting on the faith of Abraham who is buried here and whose trust in God influenced us so much I prayed so the day may come very soon when what happened after the death of the Patriarch may happen again. The Bible says that his sons: Ishmael whose mother was Hagar, a slave girl and Isaac born of Sarah were at conflict with each other but when Abraham died they came to bury him and were reconciled. I prayed in Hebron that the descendants of Ishmael: the Arabs and the descendants of Isaac: the Jews may come to reconciliation at this site which saw the reconciliation of their forefathers.
Hebron was also the capital of King David who ruled here for seven years after the death of Soul. Here the tribes of Israel came to ask David to be their King. Later King Herod the Great (the same who tried killed the Baby Jesus) built a monumental structure over the cave of Machpelah. The structure built by Herod remains almost intact and gives the visitor a hint of what the temple area in Jerusalem must have looked like before it was destroyed by Romans in A.D. 70.
Today the city is predominantly Arab with a small population of 400 Jews. These 400 Jews however have 500 soldiers protecting them here. The main tension comes from the fact that both Jews and Muslims regard Abraham and other Patriarchs as Holy Men and claim that the site should belong to them. The building over the cave with the Tombs of Patriarchs and Matriarchs is divided at the moment a section belongs to Muslims and a section belongs to Jews. After the
fatal shooting I mentioned before it is forbidden for Jews to enter the Muslim
section and for Muslims to enter the Jewish section. As I was standing there reflecting on the faith of Abraham who is buried here and whose trust in God influenced us so much I prayed so the day may come very soon when what happened after the death of the Patriarch may happen again. The Bible says that his sons: Ishmael whose mother was Hagar, a slave girl and Isaac born of Sarah were at conflict with each other but when Abraham died they came to bury him and were reconciled. I prayed in Hebron that the descendants of Ishmael: the Arabs and the descendants of Isaac: the Jews may come to reconciliation at this site which saw the reconciliation of their forefathers.
Muslim section over the Tombs
Muslim section over the Tombs
Muslim Children praying in front of cenotaphs of Isaac and Rebekah
In front of cenotaphs of Isaac and Rebekah
Built by Herod
Herod's structure over the Cave with Tombs of Patriarchs and Matriarchs
Hebron, Abraham here had a visit from God
Signs of division and tension between Arabs and Jews
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