Mount Hermon
The Hermon ( Jabal al- arb. جبل الشيخ Sheikh; Hebrew: הר חרמון Har Hermon ) is a 2814 m high mountain in the Middle East at the border between Lebanon and Syria.
The name Red Hermon is occasionally lying on the east of the town on the southern edge of the Jezreel Valley Afula Giw'at haMore (Arabic Jabal ad - Dahi ) used. However, this is only a little over 500 meters above sea level high elevation, in addition to the name has no connection to Mount Hermon.
Geographical information
The Mount Hermon extends along the Syrian- Lebanese border about 25 km in a southwest-northeast orientation. In the south the mountains transmitted to the annexed by Israel Golan Heights. In the north- east, the mountains of the Anti-Lebanon connect to the mountains.
With its height of Hermon collects on its western flank significant precipitation, feed the various sources. On the south and west side also arise three sources Hazbani Jordan, Dan and Banyas (also called Hermonfluss ). Built the mountain is mostly made of limestone and intermediate volcanic rocks.
Due to its altitude of 2814 meters above sea level, Mount Hermon dominated with its three peaks of the surrounding landscapes. Over 1800 meters the mountain is covered with snow for several months in the year, which is why he is also known as the old man mountain or mountain of snow.
Biblical references
According to the information in Deut 3.9 EU had the Hermon was known in Old Testament times of the Sidonians Sirion and from the Amorites Senir. The mountain formed the northern border of the kingdom of Israel; as shown in FIGURE 1 Chr 15,23 EU lived " the half-tribe of Manasseh in the land ... ... up to Mount Hermon ." In the description of the conquered territories by Israel of the mountain appeared also on several occasions ( Jos 11:17 EU; 12.1 EU; 13.5 EU). In Ri 3.3 EU there is an indication that there were pagan cults of the Canaanites on the Hermon; the mountain is called Baal - Hermon there.
In the New Testament the Hermon only indirectly plays a role. According to the Gospels, Jesus held in Caesarea Philippi at the foot of the mountain ( Mk 8:27 ff EU and parallel passages ).
Occasionally the Hermon is also held for the place of the Transfiguration of Jesus (Mt 17.1 to 13 EU). The tradition goes but mostly assume that it has acted on the eastern edge of the Jezreel Valley at the Mount of Transfiguration at Mount Tabor.
Importance
Until the Six Day War in 1967 included the southwestern slopes of Hermon to Syria; on June 10, 1967 these territories were conquered along with the Golan Heights from Israel and annexed on 14 December 1981. For Israel, extends its internationally recognized border at the foot of the mountain, the mountain is of considerable strategic importance. He serves V.A. as an observation post of the Israeli Military Intelligence Aman on large areas of western Syria. In the area of the summit therefore find various provisions of the Israeli armed forces. Just below the summit is to the base " Hermon Hotel " the highest base which is occupied by the (Austrian ) UN soldiers as part of Operation UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force).
The civilian use plays a significant role. Israel draws much of its drinking water over the Jordan, from the vicinity of the mountain and do not want to lose control of these sources. The water provides a relatively rich vegetation and is used in agriculture, eg for viticulture.
The regular snowfalls in winter are also a major tourist attraction. The snowpack allows higher levels even downhill skis. Therefore, could the Israeli settlement Newe Atiw on the Golan Heights, a small winter sports area - the only one of Israel - to be established.