In honor of the weekly Torah portion of Chaye Sarah, close to 25,000 Jews spent the Sabbath in Hebron, the City of the Patriarchs, yesterday, in what one participant described as a "festival of joy, glory, and even majesty." Over 200 people flew to Israel from New York to take part in the special Sabbath in Hevron.
Yesterday's weekly Torah portion, Genesis 23-25, recounts Abraham's purchase of the Machpelah Cave in Hevron in which to bury his wife Sarah. Abraham himself, as well as Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob and Leah were later buried there as well.
Yishai Fleischer - he and his wife Malka got married just last year in Hevron, only a few months prior to their Aliyah - said that yesterday in Hevron was simply "an amazing way to spend Shabbat. Standing atop the stairs to the Machpelah Cave, I looked out and I could see throngs of people, singing and dancing - so many Jews, such joy and serenity and glory; I could sense that this was the future of the Jewish People."
The entire Machpelah Cave was open for the occasion, including the large Isaac Hall that is accessible to Jews for only 11 days each year. The building was packed with people throughout the day, and especially during morning prayer services, from early in the morning until midday. On Friday night, thousands also worshiped in the large courtyard outside the building.
"Each of the families in Hevron seemed to have at least 20 guests," Fleischer said. "In Tel Rumeida (Admot Yeshai), specifically, Baruch Marzel seemed to have no fewer than 300 people, with tables set up in the entire area, and he didn't sit down; he just kept on serving and serving... The Beit Hadassah courtyard, too, was packed with tables and guests. In the Shavei Hevron yeshiva, there were separate floors for men and women to sleep; even the staircases were divided down the middle, so that there would be no confusion. It was very organized."
The gravesite of the Biblical figure Avner ben Ner was also open to Jews, though that of Otniel ben Kenaz was not.
On Friday night, guests participated in Sabbath programs and lectures in both Hevron and nearby Kiryat Arba. The two paths between the two towns were filled with people in both directions, under the watchful eye of many soldiers and security personnel. On Saturday afternoon, thousands of people toured the streets of Hevron, receiving explanations about the historic and modern neighborhoods and sights.
Food and accommodations were arranged for many of the guests by Hevron's Jewish Community. Many people slept in public buildings in both Kiryat Arba and Hevron, while many guests slept in sleeping bags under the stars, or on private families' kitchen and living-room floors.
A spokesman for the Hevron Jewish Community issued the following statement:
"Hebron has tremendous public support, as proven by the multitudes who visited the city for Shabbat. Only a few weeks ago, Hebron hosted tens of thousands during the Succot holiday. The fact that so many people continue to visit Hebron attests to the importance and significance of the land and holy cities for the People of Israel. Despite the continuing terror and violence, the Nation of Israel has not given up. To the contrary, Jews have become stronger and even more steadfast in their convictions: The entire Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. We cannot and will not leave our land. Hebron must remain Jewish forever."
Yesterday's weekly Torah portion, Genesis 23-25, recounts Abraham's purchase of the Machpelah Cave in Hevron in which to bury his wife Sarah. Abraham himself, as well as Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob and Leah were later buried there as well.
Yishai Fleischer - he and his wife Malka got married just last year in Hevron, only a few months prior to their Aliyah - said that yesterday in Hevron was simply "an amazing way to spend Shabbat. Standing atop the stairs to the Machpelah Cave, I looked out and I could see throngs of people, singing and dancing - so many Jews, such joy and serenity and glory; I could sense that this was the future of the Jewish People."
The entire Machpelah Cave was open for the occasion, including the large Isaac Hall that is accessible to Jews for only 11 days each year. The building was packed with people throughout the day, and especially during morning prayer services, from early in the morning until midday. On Friday night, thousands also worshiped in the large courtyard outside the building.
"Each of the families in Hevron seemed to have at least 20 guests," Fleischer said. "In Tel Rumeida (Admot Yeshai), specifically, Baruch Marzel seemed to have no fewer than 300 people, with tables set up in the entire area, and he didn't sit down; he just kept on serving and serving... The Beit Hadassah courtyard, too, was packed with tables and guests. In the Shavei Hevron yeshiva, there were separate floors for men and women to sleep; even the staircases were divided down the middle, so that there would be no confusion. It was very organized."
The gravesite of the Biblical figure Avner ben Ner was also open to Jews, though that of Otniel ben Kenaz was not.
On Friday night, guests participated in Sabbath programs and lectures in both Hevron and nearby Kiryat Arba. The two paths between the two towns were filled with people in both directions, under the watchful eye of many soldiers and security personnel. On Saturday afternoon, thousands of people toured the streets of Hevron, receiving explanations about the historic and modern neighborhoods and sights.
Food and accommodations were arranged for many of the guests by Hevron's Jewish Community. Many people slept in public buildings in both Kiryat Arba and Hevron, while many guests slept in sleeping bags under the stars, or on private families' kitchen and living-room floors.
A spokesman for the Hevron Jewish Community issued the following statement:
"Hebron has tremendous public support, as proven by the multitudes who visited the city for Shabbat. Only a few weeks ago, Hebron hosted tens of thousands during the Succot holiday. The fact that so many people continue to visit Hebron attests to the importance and significance of the land and holy cities for the People of Israel. Despite the continuing terror and violence, the Nation of Israel has not given up. To the contrary, Jews have become stronger and even more steadfast in their convictions: The entire Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. We cannot and will not leave our land. Hebron must remain Jewish forever."