Hasmonean Fortress Ruins Offer Election Day Excursion

The ruins of Tor Shimon, a Hasmonean-era fortress, are recommended as a destination for election day, offering a challenging hike and historical insights. The site, located on a mountain 595 meters high, provides a 360-degree view and is described as a natural fortress with steep, nearly inaccessible slopes on most sides.

Historical texts, including the Jerusalem Talmud and Eichah Rabbah, mention Tor Shimon for its abundant harvest, with residents reportedly bringing out three hundred jugs each Friday. Commentators debate the contents of these jugs, suggesting wine, bread crumbs for the poor, or dried figs. The Talmud discusses two reasons for the site's destruction: immorality or playing with a ball on Shabbat.

Archaeological surveys, notably by Professor Boaz Zissu between 1992 and 1997, suggest the settlement was founded in the 2nd century BCE and possibly named after Shimon Hasmonean, known for building fortresses. Zissu posits it was a strategic fortress overlooking a route to Jerusalem, existing until the Bar Kokhba revolt. However, definitive identification of this site as Tor Shimon remains debated, with other potential locations including Tel Hadid or the Jericho vicinity.

Evidence from a survey in 2001 indicates a significant presence during the Hellenistic and early Roman periods, with 45% of pottery shards dating to the Hellenistic era and 35% to the early Roman period. Remains at the site include water cisterns, sections of fieldstone walls, and ruined structures. Near the summit, six large, rock-hewn, plastered water reservoirs were observed. A tunnel approximately 80 meters long, ending in a columbarium (dovecote), was also noted on the northeastern slope, though not fully explored during the visit.