The Sabbath gathering is held annually to mark the public reading of the weekly Torah portion "Chaye Sarah." The portion recounts Abraham's purchase of the Machpelah Cave (Tomb of the Patriarchs) 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.
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.
"It was just an unbelievable Shabbat," said Hevron Jewish Community spokesman David Wilder. "Over 350 people came especially from abroad just for this Sabbath." Close to 400 people took part in a Sabbath afternoon meal at Gutnick Hall, just opposite the Machpelah Cave. They were mostly members of two American groups: AFSI (Americans for a Safe Israel) and the Hevron Fund. Speakers talked of the critical need for Aliyah [immigration to Israel] and for strengthening our ties with the holy sites, the Land, Torah, and People of Israel.
One of the city's holy sites, the gravesite of the Biblical Ruth and her grandson Yishai (Jesse, the father of King David), has undergone a revamping over the past two years. Located opposite the Tel Romeida (Admot Yishai) neighborhood of Hevron, it was practically unknown to non-residents of the city. Of late, however, its floor has been newly tiled, the original courtyard floor was uncovered, a new Holy Ark, tables, chairs and study-stands (stenders) were placed inside, and signs with Biblical verses were positioned outside the entrance.
Several renovations were made especially in honor of this past Sabbath. These include introduction of a framed-and-glass Book of Ruth [pictured above], penned on traditional parchment by a scribe living in Hevron. In addition, a new mezuzah was placed on the entryway doorpost, and the library was supplemented by the addition of 40 English-Hebrew versions of books written by King David and his son King Solomon, such as Psalms and Song of Songs, and more. Visitors to Hevron are invited to frequent the holy site.
Another developing story in and around Hevron is the budding outpost neighborhood of Givat Gal, just outside Kiryat Arba. Currently populated by just two families, it is located just above and practically adjacent to the Dribben family farm.