Romantic memory weaves a garland around the name Machpelah, though the area has more robust connotations in Israel’s current environment.
Machpelah, established from early Biblical times, was an important place of pilgrimage for medieval travellers like Benjamin of Tudela, who described the two stages by which a determined visitor gained access to the site.
Machpelah, established from early Biblical times, was an important place of pilgrimage for medieval travellers like Benjamin of Tudela, who described the two stages by which a determined visitor gained access to the site.
The ordinary traveller was told by his guide that the outer area contained the remains of the patriarchs, but if one were determined and prepared to pay the guide extra it was possible to go further, descend some steps and enter an underground cavern which was the real burial place.
Regardless of the political problems of today, there is a poetic dimension of the Machpelah story which should not be forgotten. The bones of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their wives come to life like the dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision if you cast your mind’s eye back down Jewish history.
You encounter the spirit of the patriarchs and are immediately asked, “You Jews of the 21st century, four thousand years on from when we ourselves lived, do you fittingly honour our memory as the founding fathers of Judaism? Do you devote to Judaism the spiritual eagerness of Abraham, Isaac’s love of tradition, Jacob’s tenacity even in times of trouble?
“Do you honour our principles, not just our mausoleum?”
You encounter the spirit of the patriarchs and are immediately asked, “You Jews of the 21st century, four thousand years on from when we ourselves lived, do you fittingly honour our memory as the founding fathers of Judaism? Do you devote to Judaism the spiritual eagerness of Abraham, Isaac’s love of tradition, Jacob’s tenacity even in times of trouble?
“Do you honour our principles, not just our mausoleum?”
Just a Minute, Sarah
Sarah, what right did you have to die just when you were becoming interesting?
You figure in a sheaf of Biblical stories, but hardly ever do we come to grips with you as an individual. You are Abraham’s wife, Pharaoh’s romantic interest, Isaac’s mother, Hagar’s rival… but it’s all about you in relationships with others, not you in your own right.
Were you really beautiful, in appearance, in character? Were you really pious and God-fearing, thinking of God, meditating on eternity? Were you really clever, a good organiser, an efficient homemaker?
Did the Midrash get it right when it said your tent had a light burning from one Erev Shabbat to the next, that you were not only hospitable but brought the women under the wings of the Divine Presence, that you wanted Isaac to study in the yeshivah of Shem and Ever?
Did Abraham value your wisdom and hearken to your voice? Did you willingly allow Isaac to go with his father, even if he never came back? Did your tears flow in private, so that neither your husband or son would realise how torn apart you were?
When you died, was it old age or the shock of events? When Abraham came to mourn for you and weep, was he weeping for himself, now alone and bereft, or for you, such a woman of worth whose going made the world poorer?
Sarah, don’t leave yet before we have worked out your preciousness and personality!
When you died, was it old age or the shock of events? When Abraham came to mourn for you and weep, was he weeping for himself, now alone and bereft, or for you, such a woman of worth whose going made the world poorer?
Sarah, don’t leave yet before we have worked out your preciousness and personality!