Well over 20,000 people participated in the annual Hevron Sabbath yesterday, marking the public reading of the weekly Torah portion "Chaye Sarah." The portion recounts Abraham's purchase of the Machpelah Cave and the area around it as a burial plot for his wife Sarah; Abraham, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob and Leah were later buried there as well.
Hevron Jewish Community spokesman Noam Arnon told Arutz-7 that many prayer services were held throughout the Sabbath in the Machpelah Cave, the nearby Avraham Avinu synagogue, and elsewhere in the Jewish quarter of the ancient city. Tours, lectures and discussion groups were also held. The IDF was out in force to protect the many visitors.
Hevron Jewish Community spokesman Noam Arnon told Arutz-7 that many prayer services were held throughout the Sabbath in the Machpelah Cave, the nearby Avraham Avinu synagogue, and elsewhere in the Jewish quarter of the ancient city. Tours, lectures and discussion groups were also held. The IDF was out in force to protect the many visitors.