Rabbi Dov Lior, chief rabbi of Hebron and Kiryat Arba led a ceremony
to replace a mezuzah that went missing from the doorpost of the Tomb of Machpela, burial
site of the Biblical Matriarchs and Patriarchs.
to replace a mezuzah that went missing from the doorpost of the Tomb of Machpela, burial
site of the Biblical Matriarchs and Patriarchs.
Since the 1990s, a rotation agreement stipulates that ten days out of the
year the entire Tomb of Machpela complex will be closed for private non-Jewish services.
In exchange, there are ten days out of the year in which the complex is exclusively used
for Jewish services. On regular days, the complex is divided into Jewish and
non-Jewish sections.
year the entire Tomb of Machpela complex will be closed for private non-Jewish services.
In exchange, there are ten days out of the year in which the complex is exclusively used
for Jewish services. On regular days, the complex is divided into Jewish and
non-Jewish sections.
This past Friday, when the Tomb complex was closed to Jews, is when the
mezuzah went missing.
mezuzah went missing.
A storage shed used by the Tomb’s maintenance staff was also broken into,
with thousands of shekels worth of equipment stolen.
with thousands of shekels worth of equipment stolen.
Similar incidents occurred in the summer
of 2013, also during the Tomb’s rotation agreement.
of 2013, also during the Tomb’s rotation agreement.
Yishai Fleisher, Hebron’s international spokesperson spoke to Israel National
News about the incident stating, “we have vowed to beautify the Cave of the
Matriarchs and Patriarchs and replace the stolen mezuzah with a much more beautiful
mezuzah and more Jewish presence,.”
News about the incident stating, “we have vowed to beautify the Cave of the
Matriarchs and Patriarchs and replace the stolen mezuzah with a much more beautiful
mezuzah and more Jewish presence,.”
The vandalism, noted Fleisher, was discovered the same day Jewish
paramedics were assisting an unconscious non-Jewish girl.
paramedics were assisting an unconscious non-Jewish girl.
“That’s our interest — to make sure that human beings around here are
treated fairly and equally. We were ‘repaid’ with this jihadist incident of taking
away our mezuzah, our connection to this place,” he said.
treated fairly and equally. We were ‘repaid’ with this jihadist incident of taking
away our mezuzah, our connection to this place,” he said.
The medical incident occurred on Saturday morning near the Beit Hadassah
building. IDF medics and Israeli emergency medical service personnel assisted the child
and worked in coordination with the Red Crescent service to evacuate her to a
hospital in the PA controlled part of the city.
building. IDF medics and Israeli emergency medical service personnel assisted the child
and worked in coordination with the Red Crescent service to evacuate her to a
hospital in the PA controlled part of the city.
For video click here:
https://www.facebook.com/hebron.machpela/videos/1080092778723771/
https://www.facebook.com/hebron.machpela/videos/1080092778723771/
Noam Arnon, Hebron’s Hebrew-language spokesperson, was quoted by Breaking
Israel News as stating,
Israel News as stating,
“The Jewish Community of Hebron demands that the full access
agreement be cancelled in the Tomb of Machpela until the mezuzah is returned, and
that severe measures be taken against the thieves. We cannot have vandals taking
advantage of a holiday during which the State of Israel gives them exclusive access to
the first Jewish holy site in order to commit crimes against Jewish holy objects,” he
said.
agreement be cancelled in the Tomb of Machpela until the mezuzah is returned, and
that severe measures be taken against the thieves. We cannot have vandals taking
advantage of a holiday during which the State of Israel gives them exclusive access to
the first Jewish holy site in order to commit crimes against Jewish holy objects,” he
said.
The beautiful large silver mezuzah, with decorative carvings was donated by
Lt. Col. Amnon Cohen, who was head of the IDF’s Hebron liaison office with Palestinian
Authority security forces. He dedicated it in memory of his father Baruch Cohen who was
murdered in a terrorist attack on March, 19, 2001.
Lt. Col. Amnon Cohen, who was head of the IDF’s Hebron liaison office with Palestinian
Authority security forces. He dedicated it in memory of his father Baruch Cohen who was
murdered in a terrorist attack on March, 19, 2001.
Cohen was ambushed in a driveby shooting while driving from his home in Efrat
to work at the Frenkel Elementary School in Jerusalem.
to work at the Frenkel Elementary School in Jerusalem.
Students drew pictures and wrote letters to the Cohen family. School
principal Barbara Levin said, “Baruch was really part of the family here.” He was
closely involved in all school activities, helping both teachers and pupils, taking
part, for example, in the preparation of costumes and decorations for the annual school
play,” as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
principal Barbara Levin said, “Baruch was really part of the family here.” He was
closely involved in all school activities, helping both teachers and pupils, taking
part, for example, in the preparation of costumes and decorations for the annual school
play,” as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Baruch Cohen was born in Tunisia, one of 12 children, grew up in Beersheba
and lived in Efrat for 16 years.
and lived in Efrat for 16 years.
This week, a new mezuzah made of stone and adorned with the words “Abraham
and Sarah” was dedicated at the eastern entrance to the Tomb of
Machpela.
and Sarah” was dedicated at the eastern entrance to the Tomb of
Machpela.
SOURCE NOTES:
* Vandals
desecrate Tomb of Patriarchs mezuzah in Hevron
* Again:
Cave of Machpelah Mezuzah Torn Out
* Hevron:
Muslim Worshippers Desecrate Jewish Holy Site
* ‘We vow
to beautify the Cave of the Patriarchs’
* Ministry of Foreign Affairs memorial page for Baruch
Cohen
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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
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES:
* Hebron Liberation Day
Celebrates Freedom of Worship
* VIDEO: Caleb Visits
Hebron
* Jewish Community of Hebron
Mourns Dr. Irving Moskowitz
FACEBOOK!
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
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES:
* Hebron Liberation Day
Celebrates Freedom of Worship
* VIDEO: Caleb Visits
Hebron
* Jewish Community of Hebron
Mourns Dr. Irving Moskowitz
