Hanuka cache! Traditional Cache
Matmonai: There was no response - so I'm archiving :-(
Cache owner, if you feel that this cache should not be archived, please contact me.
Remember, there's no shame in placing a new cache at this location when you have time.
Sorry,
Matmonai (reviewer)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Happy Hanuka!
This cache was placed on the 'first candle' of Hanuka, and the location is appropriate- the Maccabean Graves, just north west of Modi'in.
The site contains several graves carved in stone, which were originally thought to be the burial place of Mattittyahu and his sons, leaders of the Jewish rebellion against the Greek empire around the 2nd century BCE. In spite of the fact that it was later shown that these graves were carved during the Byzantine period, much after the time of Chashmunaim, the site still retains its name and it interesting to visit.
In approximation to the Byzantine site, memorial monument to the Hebrew soldiers who fought in the area during Israel's war of Independence at 1948-9. The impressive site is built as eight large triangles/pyramids, in homage of the Maccabim.
To reach the site, take route 443 from Jerusalem or from the Ben Shemen interchange on Road #1. Just north west of Modi'in you'll find signs to 'The Maccabean Graves'. Go off the road and take two left turns, following the quite clear signs leading to the graves. The graves are just south east from the parking lot, the memorial is west. The cache is hidden westward, beyond the memorial. It is a plastic box hidden under a pile of rocks :-) (You'll get the joke when you near the cache). It contains a log book, pen and several trinkets, among which is a Sevivon (a Hanuka dreidel), as I thought Sufganiyot would not be a good idea...
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ba gur jrfgrea pbeare bs gur uhtr cvyr.
Treasures
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