The Hevron Jewish Community is preparing for its twice-yearly holiday extravaganza, with tens of thousands, including famous performers, at the entire Machpelah Cave and other attractions.
As every year, the Machpelah Cave – the burial site of the Patriarchs and three of the Matriarchs – will be open on Passover to Jews in its entirety, including the Yitzchak Hall. Throughout the year, Jews have access to only the Abraham and Jacob (Yaakov) Halls, while the Muslims are allowed only in the much larger and luxurious Isaac (Yitzchak) Hall. On Jewish holidays, all three are open exclusively to Jews, and vice-versa on Muslim holidays.
Coordinator Ashi Horowitz, scion of the well-known Horowitz family that has had so much to do with the rebirth of Jewish Hevron in recent decades, spoke to Arutz Sheva about the two-day event: “It will be happening on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, under the theme ‘Bonding to Jewish Heritage.’ In addition to the Machpelah Cave, we have also the ancient museum, Tel Romeida, Jesse’s Plots, Abraham’s Well, Avner’s Grave, and even sites that are generally under PA control.”
“This year we will also be celebrating, on Thursday, the recent government announcement that the Machpelah Cave is a national cultural legacy site. We will have politicians, top musicians such as the Raz’el brothers, Udi Davidi, Chaim Yisrael, and more.”
Food, kosher for Passover, will be available, courtesy of the Hevron HaChnasat Orchim fund of Baruch Marzel, at subsidized prices. “One can also eat the Gutnick Center restaurant,” Horowitz said, “and transportation is available from all over the country. Though Hevron is quiet these days, the security forces have taken responsibility for security.”