Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-10
VACATION IN PALESTINE
PEASANTS WELCOME WANDER
Frs IN FAMOUS VINEYARDS.
Ancient Hebron, Seat of Earliest
Civilization, Now Inhabited by
Wild People.

Hebron, the home of Patriarch Abra-
ham, is town of peculiar interest, both
biblical and archaeological. and because
it was renowned for the historical vines
of Eschol. These still bear fruit larger
than the ordinary grape round In any
other part of the world
The Mosaic law comma nded the peas
ant to bid the wanderer welcome into his
vineyard to partake of his luscious fruit.
and this law Of hospitality is still prac-
ticed by the Arab fellaheen of today.
with the difference. that today the ex
pectation of 'backsheesh" always accom-
Ianies the welcome
1t seems strange that though Hebron
was the seat of the earliest civilization in
Palestine, today the inhabitants of the
surrounding country are wild and fierce
and spend their days roaming about with
from valley to valley in search OF food.
pitching their tents. just as their ances-
tors did one thousand years ago.
The large town of Hebron is very pic
turesque. situated at the foot OF the hill
in the fertile valley of Eschol, the vine
yards Of which are renowned. and sur
rounded by fruit orchards and olive
groves. Lying 3.c29 feet above the sea
on this crested hill. above the dry wilder
ness of ,Judea, and abundantly watered
cool breezes offer great attractions for
summer and autumn visitors, who are
weary Of the heat and dry barrenness of
the country round about Jerusalem. The
distance is only twenty-six miles from
the Holy City, or. according to oriental
reckoning, five-hour ride.
The present Arabic name Is khalil, or
The Friend because Abraham was
named the Friend of God 1T is large
well built town, of commanding appear
ance, and is mentioned in the Scriptures
four times.
| Hebron is one of the four holy cities
| of Islam, equal with Mecca, Medina and
| Jerusalem, and to the Jews 1t is also one
| OF the quartet of sacred towns with Jeru-
| salem, Safed and Tiberias.
| The rocky hills enc.rcling the town are
covered with olive trees. and their slopes
| are beautifully terraced. One can see from
what little remains how we'll cultivated
and utilized the land was in ancient days,
| for the terraces run almost to the top
and fruits and vegetables of all kinds are
growing in every available niche.
Picturesque Scenes.
The streets Of Hebron are filled with in
teresting and peculiar sights to western
eyes. The principal shopping street. is a
narrow tunnel covered by a long canopy
Of canvas, rendering 1t dark with only
occasional glimmers of light from the
openings in the archways. These stores
are only closets raised above the level of
| the street. The owner sits cross-legSed
| in the center Of the store, smoking a mar
CHILE. On the shelves around ann lie the
goods close to his hand in order that he
can display them to the buyer without
| rising. The purchaser stands In the mar
row street, which has no sidewalks. and
runs the risk Of getting jolted by the box
es. on the backs OF the donkeys rushing
! past while he bargains at great length
with the merchant The wares Of silk and
embroidery are exquisitely beautiful.
| On the site OF David's royal palace a
tannery now stands. and this is one of
the great industries of Hebron. In this
tannery goat skins are prepared for use
| as water bottles 1t is interesting to
watch this Arab industry. The skins.
| then sewn up and filled with water and
the apertures carefully pitched. They
| are left in the open air for several days
and covered with a strong decoction of
| tanning. Water Is pumped into them to
keep them from shrinking.
| The other industry is pottery and glass
| work for lamps and ornaments. chiefly
bracelets which are sent to Jerusalem
| for sale.
The natives Of Hebron also prepare
raisns for the Jerusalem market from the
large quantities Of grapes which grow In
their vineyards. or they make kind OF
| strip, for the drinking of wine Is against
| the Mohammedan religion.
| In the center of the town is pool OF
water 1873 feet square. which furnishes
| Hebron with its water supply. This Is the
| pool over which David hanged the muir
derers of Ishbosheth.
Abraham's Ga k.
The site Of Abraham's oak is subject
| of interest and dispute. Some distance
| outside the city is a place called Ranch,
which Is held by some to be the true site
| of ancient Mamre, where Abraham sat
| at the door Of his tent and was visited by
angels But the oak has long since van
| ished Here are interesting remains Of
basilica OF Constantine's day. Some of
| the stones lying here are $50 feet long.
| be Of very ancient date, and Is believed
| by many to have been built by Abraham.
| The stones are of immense proportions
| and highly polished. Remains of stone
| pillars suggest that there must have been
| at some time stone canopy over this
| we'll to offer Ashade and rest to the weary
| traveller in a dry land. AS for 1000 years
| water has been drawn from sthis we'll the
| ropes to which the buckets were fastened
| have worn deep ridges into the hard lime
| stone.
The other site, more generally accepted
because Of the existence Of very ancient
| oak tree, is that belonging to the Russian
pilgrims and high watch tower. This
| oak is the most venerable tree
| Palestine, excepting an olive tree in Geth-
| semane. It's trunk measures thirty feet
| in circumference and its crown divides
| itself into four colossal branches, which,
| extending out, offer a broad shade. The
Russians have inclosed the tree by a
! stone wall The hill on which the oak
| and hospice stand Is mile and half
| from Hebron and is one of the sacred
sites in Palestine to the Russians.