By COLlive reporter
Thousands of Jews will be celebrating this Shabbos in the holy city of Chevron, highlighting Avraham Avinu’s documented purchase of the Meoras Hamachpela (Cave of the Patriarchs) for a burial site as described in Parshas Chayei Sarah read this week.
Residents of Chevron and Kiryat Arba are once again opening their homes to accommodate guests, sometimes hosting up to a dozen people per household, Israel National News reported. Local schools have been converted into temporary dormitories, with classrooms serving as communal sleeping quarters.
Prominent figures, including government ministers, MKs, and local rabbis, will be delivering talks on Jewish history and the significance of Chevron. Also offered are guided tours of the city’s historic sites and newly purchased homes by the “Harechivi” movement.
During Shabbos, all parts of the Meoras Hamachpela are reserved for Jewish worship only, as opposed to the normal division of the cave between Arab and Jewish services.
Thousands are expected despite the current war in Gaza and Lebanon. Chabad of Hebron, led by Rabbi Danny Cohen, the Kiryat Arba-Hebron Religious Council, and the Hebron Guest House have been working hard to accommodate the guests and have promised that no one will go hungry.
Although the traditional giant tents will not be erected in the plaza of the Meoras Hamachpela this year, the Chabad House in Hebron has mobilized to find creative solutions to feed the many guests.
For the first time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement acknowledging the uniqueness of this Shabbos and welcoming visitors to Chevron.
“This coming Shabbat is Shabbat Chayei Sarah. We will read in the Torah about Abraham, our forefather, buying the Cave of Machpela. The first Hebrew real estate purchase in the Land of Israel,” he stated.
“The Cave of Machpela houses our nation’s founders – where our forefathers and foremothers are buried. From this place, a great prayer goes forth for the return of our hostages.
“In our generation, a beautiful custom has been restarted – to gather on this Shabbat in Hebron. Jews of all kinds from all corners of the world gather together to celebrate our shared heritage.
It reinforces our deep connection to this place, this nation, and our legacy. I bless the participants and organizers all together and wish you all a Shabbat that strengthens, uplifts, and unites.”
The Rebbe Rashab (yesterdays birthday) first opened the Yeshivas, Toras Emes in Chevron.
It remains a center of Torah, Tefillah & Tzidokah until the coming of Moshiach NOW!
Go Zalmy barber. best shliach in bet shemesh!
Nice speech by Bibi, but let’s not forget that he was the one who gave away most of Chevron to the Aabs, leaving us with little more than one long street, most of which is a churban. He is no friend of the Chevron Jews.