Cave of Machpelah in Hevron (illustration)
Cave of Machpelah in Hevron (illustration)Flash 90

To celebrate the new Hebrew month of Shevat, Rabbi David Twersky, known as the Skverer Rebbe, visited the Cave of Machpelah in Hevron on Monday. Together with thousands of his hasidim, he went to pray at the sanctified burial grounds of the Jewish forefathers and mothers other than Rachel.

The large group was greeted by the local Jewish residents and representatives of the community, as well as the IDF Hevron Brigade.

Twersky blessed the community of Hevron and the security forces who had made special arrangements for his visit. The IDF and police received reinforcements to help secure the safety of the large group, and monitor the flow of traffic in and out of the area.

The community set up a loudspeaker system for the rabbi to read Psalms at his usual spot on the seventh step leading up to the cave, which became a traditional prayer spot as it was the closest Jews were allowed to come for hundreds of years of Muslim occupation of the holy site.

Prior to the reading the throngs of hasidim began singing and chanting outside the cave.

In order to allow for the event, local residents conducted their own special prayers prior to the visit so as not to detract from the enormity of the event. The prayers were run by the students of Yeshiva Mekor Haim, headed by Rabbi Dov Singer.

Sources in the Hevron community said that the Skverer visit is part of a recent increase in visits and tourism to the city and the Cave of Machpelah in particular. These visits have come in spite of recent terror attacks and threats that have plagued the area, including last week’s sniper attack.