“Afterwards Judah went forth with his brethren and attacked the Children of Esau… and (recaptured) Hebron” (1 Maccabees 5:65)
By Nosson Shulman, Licensed Tour Guide
In 70 CE (circa) the Romans destroyed the Temple, and things were not looking good for the Jewish people! Although the Jewish people had miraculously survived enslavement in Egypt and conquest by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Edomites (Descendants of Esau), and Hellenic Greeks, contemporary observers assumed that this time, the Jews would not survive as a distinct nation and would assimilate into the larger Roman population. However, once again G-d had other plans!
In the same year that the Temple was destroyed, Hebron was also ruined (although the Cave of the Patriarchs built by King Herod was left intact).
Shortly after Hebron was destroyed, the Jews returned and rebuilt this holy city! The Romans were shocked that even without the precious Temple in Jerusalem, the Jewish religion continued to flourish. In ancient times the Romans destroyed the temples of the conquered people, and the losers of war then converted to Roman paganism. This was because the Roman gods had been victorious over their gods. Yet, here were a people that continued to observe the commandments. If their goal to convert the Jews was to be realized, a new strategy was needed.