Passover events return to Hebron

Music, kids activities, free tours, and open access to the
ancient Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs took place during Hebron’s scaled-back
Passover festivities as visitors were happy to see a return to life after a year of
COVID-19 lock-downs.

 

Now that over 60% of the country has been vaccinated, Israelis and tourists enjoyed a
happy Pesach vacation with national parks and historical sites opened.

 

The Hall of Isaac and Rebecca was open to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday with
special considerations taken to prevent over-crowding. In accordance with Israeli
Ministry of Health, the Hall of Isaac and Rebecca was accessible for those with a green
pass proving two vaccinations or those with a corona recovery certificate.

 

Known in Hebrew as Olam Yitzchak, the large hall is the location of the memorial markers
for Isaac and Rebecca and the site of the opening into the Cave of Machpela. It is
usually reserved for Muslim prayers and accessible ten days out of the year for Jewish
holidays, while the normally Jewish areas of the site are accessible for Muslims on
Muslim holiday as per the rotation agreement with the Islamic Waqf who share joint
custody.

 

 

 



This year, there were separate entrances and exits with no cut through to the different
sections and visitors were requested to stay only 20 minutes to allow the maximum number
of people access. The Ministry of Health capped attendance at 500 people at time.
Despite the restrictions, visitors enjoyed the site, taking into consideration last
year’s lock-down and prayers for those suffering from the pandemic were recited.

 

The normally Jewish side of the ancient complex adhered to the purple badge system and
did not require a green pass because it is a more open-air section.

 

The Egged national bus company provided special transportation from Jerusalem directly
to the site.

 

The Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is revered as the burial site of the Biblical
founding fathers and mothers, purchased by Abraham for 400 shekels as described in the
book of Genesis.  The surrounding structure was built by King Herod the Great
during the Second Temple period and closely resembles the Temple Mount and Western Wall
in Jerusalem which was built during the same era.



 

In normal years, the annual Passover festival features popular musicians from Israel and
abroad who perform on stage, attracting between 25,000 – 30,000 people.



MUSICAL HALLEL

 

The bi-annual Shacharit Hallel prayers at dawn with musical accompaniment was held
outdoors and as usual led by Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, chief rabbi of Tzfat with Rabbi Uriel
Saieed on guitar joined by violinists and other musicians. Last year’s prayers were
restricted to a small group and live streamed. The prayer gathering is usually held
inside.

 

As the traditional holiday melodies were played, worshipers sang and danced outside the
site of the Cave of Machpela.