Thursday was the first day of September on the Gregorian calendar,
the first day of school throughout Israel, and the first day of the month of Elul on the
Hebrew calendar.
the first day of school throughout Israel, and the first day of the month of Elul on the
Hebrew calendar.
Over 10,000 people visited Hebron on Thursday for the 1st of Elul. The Hall
of Rebecca and Isaac was open for Jewish prayer, an occurrence which takes place ten
days a year.
of Rebecca and Isaac was open for Jewish prayer, an occurrence which takes place ten
days a year.
Buses streamed to the holy city throughout the day as people devoted their
time to prayer and introspection at the resting place of the Biblical Matriarchs and
Patriarchs: Sarah and Abraham, Isaac and Rebecca, and Leah and
Jacob.
time to prayer and introspection at the resting place of the Biblical Matriarchs and
Patriarchs: Sarah and Abraham, Isaac and Rebecca, and Leah and
Jacob.
Others admired the impressive construction of the edifice erected by
King Herod 2,000 years ago as a memorial to the Patriarchs and
Matriarchs.
King Herod 2,000 years ago as a memorial to the Patriarchs and
Matriarchs.
The day preceding the first day of Elul is called “Hilulat Avot” – the
commemoration of the Patriarchs. Elul marks the beginning of Slichot. The
prayers of penitence usher in the High Holiday season which begins the next month with
Rosh Hashana. Prayers for Yom Kippur Katan, or small Yom Kippur were recited
as well.
commemoration of the Patriarchs. Elul marks the beginning of Slichot. The
prayers of penitence usher in the High Holiday season which begins the next month with
Rosh Hashana. Prayers for Yom Kippur Katan, or small Yom Kippur were recited
as well.
People wandered through the monumental structure, taking in it’s unique
ambiance as impromptu groups formed prayer quorums. The Ohel Yitzchak v’Rivka, as it is
called in Hebrew, is the largest room in the complex. Situated in the middle are the
cenotaphs, or memorial markers for Isaac and Rebecca, their actual tombs being deep
below in the double cave. Crowds gathered in front of the small hole that drops into the
cave to feel the breeze that emanates from the caverns below.
ambiance as impromptu groups formed prayer quorums. The Ohel Yitzchak v’Rivka, as it is
called in Hebrew, is the largest room in the complex. Situated in the middle are the
cenotaphs, or memorial markers for Isaac and Rebecca, their actual tombs being deep
below in the double cave. Crowds gathered in front of the small hole that drops into the
cave to feel the breeze that emanates from the caverns below.
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Elul services at the Tomb of Machpela is a tradition dating back generations.
The rotation agreement with the Muslim Waqf stipulates that Jewish and Muslim worshipers
each have exclusive access to the entire complex ten days a year. The rest of the year
the complex is divided into Muslim and Jewish portions, the Isaac and Rebecca Hall being
on the Muslim side. Also on this side are the entrances to the caves, now
inaccessible.
The rotation agreement with the Muslim Waqf stipulates that Jewish and Muslim worshipers
each have exclusive access to the entire complex ten days a year. The rest of the year
the complex is divided into Muslim and Jewish portions, the Isaac and Rebecca Hall being
on the Muslim side. Also on this side are the entrances to the caves, now
inaccessible.
The days reserved for Jewish prayer generally correspond to holidays such as
Rosh Hashana, Passover, Sukkot, Parshat Chaya Sarah, etc. when tens of thousands of
Jewish visitors come to Hebron. The Muslim-only days coincide with their special
month-long holiday of Ramadan.
Rosh Hashana, Passover, Sukkot, Parshat Chaya Sarah, etc. when tens of thousands of
Jewish visitors come to Hebron. The Muslim-only days coincide with their special
month-long holiday of Ramadan.
Also open on this day is the Tomb of Abner Ben Ner. The underground room has
been a site of prayer for generations and corresponds to the Bible’s description of
Abner’s death during the days of King Saul. For full article click
here.
been a site of prayer for generations and corresponds to the Bible’s description of
Abner’s death during the days of King Saul. For full article click
here.
Writers throughout history have referenced visiting the grave of
Abner, next to the Machpela Cave, just as it is situated today.
Abner, next to the Machpela Cave, just as it is situated today.
According to the writings of David Avisar, a resident of Hebron in the
early 1900’s, Hebron was a place of Elul pilgrimage for generations. He wrote:
“The month of Elul in Hebron brought with it hundreds of visitors from afar. The first
to arrive, by foot, would be the young men from Tsor, Sidon and Damascus. When the
visitors would reach the out-skirts of Hebron, the youngsters and community leaders,
singing joyously, would go out to welcome them and accompany them to the community inn.
The visit of the young men would bring great joy to the Hebron community. During the day
the visitors would pray at the Cave of Machpela and other holy places in the city. At
night they would dance and sing, and the entire community would come to the inn to
participate in the festivities.”
early 1900’s, Hebron was a place of Elul pilgrimage for generations. He wrote:
“The month of Elul in Hebron brought with it hundreds of visitors from afar. The first
to arrive, by foot, would be the young men from Tsor, Sidon and Damascus. When the
visitors would reach the out-skirts of Hebron, the youngsters and community leaders,
singing joyously, would go out to welcome them and accompany them to the community inn.
The visit of the young men would bring great joy to the Hebron community. During the day
the visitors would pray at the Cave of Machpela and other holy places in the city. At
night they would dance and sing, and the entire community would come to the inn to
participate in the festivities.”
To arrange a visit to Hebron contact us:
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
In Israel contact the offices of the Jewish Community of Hebron at:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
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