Explore Khirbet Riboa in Judean Foothills for Election Day Solitude
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Khirbet Riboa, an archaeological site in the Judean Foothills, is suggested as a quiet destination for election day. The site, accessible by off-road vehicle or foot, features ancient ruins, cisterns, and tombs. Historical and archaeological surveys indicate habitation from the Second Temple period through the early Arab era. Its scenic and tranquil environment makes it suitable for contemplation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Khirbet Riboa in the Judean Foothills is recommended for quiet contemplation on election day.
- The site is located within the Adullam-France Park and is accessible via off-road or foot paths.
- Historical and archaeological findings suggest habitation from the Second Temple period to the early Arab era.
- The site contains ancient tombs, a winepress, cisterns, and tunnel systems.
- A large reservoir with columbarium niches indicates past use for pigeon raising.
Khirbet Riboa, a lesser-known archaeological site in the Judean Foothills, is recommended as a destination for quiet contemplation, particularly on election day. Located on a 414-meter hill about 1.5 kilometers west of Moshav Adarim, the site is within the Adullam-France Park managed by the Jewish National Fund (KKL). Access is possible via off-road vehicle or by foot from Tel Shokha or Khirbet Atar. The paths are not well-maintained, and the hill is covered with mastic and buckthorn shrubs.
The name Riboa was given by the Governmental Naming Committee, derived from the Arabic name Khirbat Ruba. While some have suggested identifying it with "Rabbah" mentioned in the Book of Joshua, this is unlikely as Joshua places Rabbah in the hill country, not the foothills. Other historical references include a village named Robo mentioned by Eusebius in the 4th century east of Beit Guvrin, and a possible identification with "Rabet" from the Amarna letters, where the king of Jerusalem complained about forces from Gezer, Gath, and Keilah seizing his lands.
French explorer Victor Guérin visited in 1863, describing rock-hewn cisterns, vaults, and small stone houses. Later surveys by Conder and Kitchener found caves, ruins, column bases, and lintels. Finnish archaeologist Auli Sarisalo determined in 1931 that the site was inhabited until the early Arab period. A 2018 archaeological survey by Eitan Klein, Boaz Zissu, and Amir Ganor documented Second Temple period tombs, a rock-hewn winepress, covered cisterns, and tunnel systems possibly used by Bar Kokhba rebels.
The site offers beautiful scenery and profound quiet, leading one Breslov Hasid student to add it to his list of "solitude sites." During a navigation course, students encountered a large water reservoir supported by two columns, with niches for columbarium (dovecote) carved into its walls, indicating it was also used for raising pigeons. The water was too deep for immersion, but with some cleaning, the site could become a true gem.