Cave of Othniel Ben Kenez

On the road leading from the Beit Hadassah neighborhood to the Yishai Lands neighborhood in Tel Rumida, beyond the soldiers' checkpoint, on the slope of a rocky hill on the upper part of which is the ancient Jewish cemetery and below it the policeman's place - there is a cave attributed to the burial place of the first judge of Israel - Othniel ben Kenez.

Othniel ben Kenez, the brother of Caleb ben Yifuna who received Hebron as an inheritance, was one of the greatest figures in Israel's history. Sages extol his virtues and say that after the death of Moses, it was Othniel who, by virtue of his learning, was able to restore many forgotten laws. In the book of Chronicles, Othniel ben Kenaz appears under the nickname - Yabetz.

An ancient Jewish custom was to go out and walk in the fields in the afternoon, and they would go to the tomb of Othniel ben-Kenz. After they entered the entrance of the cave and toured the many huts, they would go out and park all day in the fields around the cave, benefiting the heart by eating and drinking, singing, and singing. and dancing until sunset (Sefer Hebron)

The cave, which was bought by Jews in the 19th century, was transferred to the control of the Palestinians in 1997 and is currently in their territory.

Entry is possible in coordination with the IDF