Holiday opening and closing schedule for Tomb of Machpela – 2023

The Cave of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs has separate sections of
Jewish and Muslim prayer services with separate entrances.

 

For ten days a year the site is reserved for Jewish prayer services and the
Hall of Isaac & Rebecca is open to the public. For another ten days, the site is
reserved for Muslim prayer services. Below is the schedule for the Hebrew year 5783 /
Gregorian year 2023.

 

In general the Cave of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs / Tomb of Machpela is
open:

 

Winter time – 4:00am – 8:45pm

Summer time – 4:00am – 9:45pm

 

The outdoor plaza and Seventh Step garden is open and accessible
24-hours.

 

The following are the dates reserved for Jewish prayer services at the Cave
of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs including the Hall of Isaac and
Rebecca.

 

* Sunday 18th of Nisan 5783 / April 9, 2023 – Passover

* Monday 19th of Nisan 5783 / April, 10 2023 – Passover

* Wednesday 29th of Av 5783 / August 16, 2023 – Rosh Hodesh Elul eve

* Saturday 1st of Tishrei 5784 / September 16, 2023 – Rosh Hashanah

* Wednesday 5th of Tishrei 5784 / September 20, 2023 – Ten Days of Repentance

* Monday 10th of Tishrei 5784 / September 25, 2023 – Yom Kippur starting Sunday
3:00pm

* Monday 17th of Tishrei 5784 / October 2, 2023 – Succot

* Tuesday 18th of Tishrei 5784 / October 3, 2023 – Succot

* Saturday night 22nd of Tishrei 5784 / October 7, 2023 – post Simchat Torah, Isaac Hall
open for Second Hakafot

* Saturday 27th of Heshvan  5784 / November 11, 2023 – Shabbat Chayei Sarah
starting Friday at 3:00pm

 

The following are the dates reserved for Muslim prayer services at the Cave of the
Patriarchs and Matriarchs. The plaza and Seventh Step garden will be open as
usually.

 

* Saturday 27th of Shvat 5783 / February 18, 2023 – Lailat al Miraj

* Friday 2nd of Nisan 5783 / March 24, 2023 – Ramadan

* Friday 9th of Nisan 5783 / March 31, 2023 – Ramadan

* Friday 16th of Nisan 5783 April 7, 2023 – Ramadan (coincides with Passover)

* Friday 23rd of Nisan 5783 / April 14, 2023 Ramadan

* Monday 26th of Nisan 5783 / April 17, 2023 – Laylat al Qadr (cave opens the next day
at 10:00am)

* Friday 4th of Nisan 5783 / April 21, 2023 – Eid-al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)

* Wednesday 9th of Tammuz 2783 / June 28, 2023 – Waqf al Arafa – Hajj

* Wednesday 1st of Av 5783 / July 19, 2023 – Hijra – Islamic New Year

* Wednesday 2th of Tishrei 5784 /  September 27, 2023 – Mawlid al-Nabi

 

Please note – due to the nature of the Muslim calendar, there may be changes in the
opening and closing times. It is recommended to confirm close to the dates by calling or
texting the office at 050-647-7776 or 050-647-7744.

 

During normal days, the Hall of Isaac and Rebecca reserved for Muslim prayers. This hall
contains the small opening into the underground caves, known as the “entrance to the
Garden of Eden.” 

 

This arrangement has been coordinated for over 20 years between the Muslim
Waqf and the Israeli government. During these days, Jewish prayer books, desks, chairs,
etc. are removed and stored. On the Muslim side, the carpets are rolled up and stored.
Most holidays go smoothly with coordination between the IDF, Waqf and emergency
medical services from both the Israeli and PA sides of the city assisting when
needed.

 

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