The unique event, organized by Arutz Sheva and Kumah, tied together many spiritual elements, combining one of Judaism’s four holy cities with the Jewish New Year for trees. Jewish sages devote great attention both to the city, which Kabbalistically symbolizes ‘Earth,’ and to the holiday considered the beginning of the Spring season.
Monday's planting was the first of its kind to take place at the holy site since it was reopened to Jews following the 1967 Six Day War. After learning about the clearing of a site just a few meters from the Patriarchs' burial site - above the area known as the Seventh Step - Arutz-7 and Kumah collaborated to organize the planting. The group was joined by members of the Israeli Defense Forces who regularly provide security in the area.
IsraelNationalRadio's Yishai Fleisher, one of the trip's organizers, explained how the Hevron planting came to be: "It was simply Divine Providence. I was at a wedding in Hevron a couple of weeks ago, and I happened to be chatting with a local resident. I asked him, 'What's going on here on Tu B'Shvat?' He told me that a unique army permit had just been received to plant right outside the Machpelah Cave. I asked him if I could bring a busload of people to take part, and he said, 'Let's do it!'"
Hevron is known as Judaism’s first city, home to the Jewish forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the place King David first ascended the throne and established his kingdom. The Jewish holiday Tu B’Shvat celebrates G-d’s many creations, particularly the seven species inherent to the Land of Israel: wheat, barley, grape, fig, pomegranate, olive, and date.
Participants ascended to Hevron and were greeted by Jewish community spokesman David Wilder. Wilder toured with the group through the handful of Jewish enclaves in the holy city.
In Tel Rumeida, participants viewed excavations uncovering remnants from Biblical times. The site was home to the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, and later King David. Additionally, Tel Rumeida features a view of the entire city of Hevron.
The group then proceeded to the tomb of King David’s father, Yishai, and greatgrandmother, Ruth.
The tour continued with stops at the historic Beit Hadassah and Avraham Avinu neighborhoods, learning about life in Hevron over the past 3,000-plus years. Wilder enchanted the group with stories of physical determination and mystical magnetism.
Next, the group arrived at the holy Cave of the Patriarchs, where the forefathers and mothers Avraham and Sarah, Yitzchak and Rivka, and Yaakov and Leah are buried. The site is also believed to house the tombs of Adam and Chava, the world’s first man and woman.
The monument surrounding the site was built by the Roman King Herod over 2,000 years ago. Herod similarly commissioned the building of Jerusalem’s Second Holy Temple and its supporting structure, which includes the Western Wall, where millions of Jews pray each year.
After learning the history of the site - from its purchase recorded in the Torah, through recent efforts to discover the locations of the actual graves in a series of underground caves - the group toured the mega-monument, which is today a prayer site for both Jews and Muslims.
Following the visit inside the Machpelah Cave, the group exited to plant fruit trees and flowers just a few meters from the building and its courtyard. The group was joined by local infantry and officers of the Israeli Defense Forces, who were able to turn their attention away from their normal duties for a few moments to beautify the holy site they regularly protect.
Fruit trees planted at the site included dates, figs, pomegranates, and dates, some of the seven holy species indigenous to the land of Israel.
Participants then celebrated by eating a festive Tu B’Shvat meal. A Kabbalistic ceremony modeled after the Pesach Seder was performed, exploring the spiritual connection between man, earth, and each of the species.
The festive and historic day culminated in the home of legendary Israeli artist Baruch Nachshon in the neighboring large Jewish community of Kiryat Arba. Nachshon was among the first Jews to live in Hevron following the reclamation of Jewish land in the Six Day War.
The experience was moving for trip organizers and participants alike. For many on the trip, this was their first Tu B’Shvat in Israel; and for others, their first trip to Hevron. Dinah Levitan, who was on the trip with her family, called the trip “an unforgettable experience.”
“Those of my children who had never been to Hevron before, and those who had, shared the same wonder and sense of connection to our history," Levitan said. "Planting on the grounds of the Me'arat HaMachpela [Cave of the Patriarchs] was so special. We will forever consider those trees as ‘ours.’ What an unbelievable way to celebrate our family's first Tu B'Shvat in Eretz Yisrael [the Land of Israel]!”
Click here to see photos of the event.
Monday's planting was the first of its kind to take place at the holy site since it was reopened to Jews following the 1967 Six Day War. After learning about the clearing of a site just a few meters from the Patriarchs' burial site - above the area known as the Seventh Step - Arutz-7 and Kumah collaborated to organize the planting. The group was joined by members of the Israeli Defense Forces who regularly provide security in the area.
IsraelNationalRadio's Yishai Fleisher, one of the trip's organizers, explained how the Hevron planting came to be: "It was simply Divine Providence. I was at a wedding in Hevron a couple of weeks ago, and I happened to be chatting with a local resident. I asked him, 'What's going on here on Tu B'Shvat?' He told me that a unique army permit had just been received to plant right outside the Machpelah Cave. I asked him if I could bring a busload of people to take part, and he said, 'Let's do it!'"
Hevron is known as Judaism’s first city, home to the Jewish forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the place King David first ascended the throne and established his kingdom. The Jewish holiday Tu B’Shvat celebrates G-d’s many creations, particularly the seven species inherent to the Land of Israel: wheat, barley, grape, fig, pomegranate, olive, and date.
Participants ascended to Hevron and were greeted by Jewish community spokesman David Wilder. Wilder toured with the group through the handful of Jewish enclaves in the holy city.
In Tel Rumeida, participants viewed excavations uncovering remnants from Biblical times. The site was home to the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, and later King David. Additionally, Tel Rumeida features a view of the entire city of Hevron.
The group then proceeded to the tomb of King David’s father, Yishai, and greatgrandmother, Ruth.
The tour continued with stops at the historic Beit Hadassah and Avraham Avinu neighborhoods, learning about life in Hevron over the past 3,000-plus years. Wilder enchanted the group with stories of physical determination and mystical magnetism.
Next, the group arrived at the holy Cave of the Patriarchs, where the forefathers and mothers Avraham and Sarah, Yitzchak and Rivka, and Yaakov and Leah are buried. The site is also believed to house the tombs of Adam and Chava, the world’s first man and woman.
The monument surrounding the site was built by the Roman King Herod over 2,000 years ago. Herod similarly commissioned the building of Jerusalem’s Second Holy Temple and its supporting structure, which includes the Western Wall, where millions of Jews pray each year.
After learning the history of the site - from its purchase recorded in the Torah, through recent efforts to discover the locations of the actual graves in a series of underground caves - the group toured the mega-monument, which is today a prayer site for both Jews and Muslims.
Following the visit inside the Machpelah Cave, the group exited to plant fruit trees and flowers just a few meters from the building and its courtyard. The group was joined by local infantry and officers of the Israeli Defense Forces, who were able to turn their attention away from their normal duties for a few moments to beautify the holy site they regularly protect.
Fruit trees planted at the site included dates, figs, pomegranates, and dates, some of the seven holy species indigenous to the land of Israel.
Participants then celebrated by eating a festive Tu B’Shvat meal. A Kabbalistic ceremony modeled after the Pesach Seder was performed, exploring the spiritual connection between man, earth, and each of the species.
The festive and historic day culminated in the home of legendary Israeli artist Baruch Nachshon in the neighboring large Jewish community of Kiryat Arba. Nachshon was among the first Jews to live in Hevron following the reclamation of Jewish land in the Six Day War.
The experience was moving for trip organizers and participants alike. For many on the trip, this was their first Tu B’Shvat in Israel; and for others, their first trip to Hevron. Dinah Levitan, who was on the trip with her family, called the trip “an unforgettable experience.”
“Those of my children who had never been to Hevron before, and those who had, shared the same wonder and sense of connection to our history," Levitan said. "Planting on the grounds of the Me'arat HaMachpela [Cave of the Patriarchs] was so special. We will forever consider those trees as ‘ours.’ What an unbelievable way to celebrate our family's first Tu B'Shvat in Eretz Yisrael [the Land of Israel]!”
Click here to see photos of the event.