Rosh Hodesh Elul Visitors Enjoy New Renovations

Over 20,000 people visited Hebron for Rosh Hodesh Elul. The historic renovations on the Maarat Hamachpela building were put on hold and visitors came to pray at the ancient site.

The Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs (Cave of Machpela) complex now has a new permanent roof protecting worshipers from sun and rain. The specially designed triangular windows reflected in the light and visitors prayed, sang and danced. Silver trumpets, reserved for special occasions were used. Guests included popular author and educator Rabbi Elimelech Biderman and other distinguished guests.

Other new additions that greeted the crowds were an improved air conditioning system, fire safety system and other improvements to the 2,000-year-old structure that helped maintain the historic building while upgrading it for modern use.

Dr. Noam Arnon, the longtime Hebron spokesperson and expert in the history of the Maarat HaMachpela said the visitors were “blessed with a new roof, which constitutes a magnificent ‘crown’ for the prayer space. We thank all the partners in the planning and production, and hope that we will soon be able to return to full prayers throughout the entire space, in comfortable conditions, in prosperity and elegance.”

He noted that the new roof was designed many years ago by architect Erol Packer who also designed several neighborhoods in the renewed communities of Hebron. Due to political pressure it took years of court battles before the renovations could commence.  

The roof replaces a temporary tarp that was inadequate to protect worshipers from the hot summer sun or properly block out rain. Every winter flooding caused damage to the infrastructure. The new roof consists of approximately 250 triangles with a special glass cover.

“During our prayers, we will continue to feel a connection between heaven and earth, as we stand between the memorials of the forefathers and mothers, lift our eyes and hearts to heaven, and pray,” Dr Arnon said. “The unique pattern of the triangles calls us to contemplate the connection and special nature of the number three for Hebron and the Cave of the Patriarchs,” he stated.

“The Torah says that three fathers and three mothers were buried in the cave. In Hebron, three covenants were made with Abraham: the covenant of the land, the covenant of the seed, and the covenant of circumcision. At the oaks of Mamre in Hebron, three angels appear to Abraham The first three of our people first appeared in Hebron: Abraham, Sarah and Isaac. The three patriarchs, whose main place of residence in the land was Hebron, established the three prayers: morning, afternoon and evening. We celebrate three feasts a year corresponding to the three patriarchs.

In the Cave of the Patriarchs itself there are three pairs of tombstones placed symmetrically:

Abraham and Sarah in the center, Isaac and Rebecca to their right, and Jacob and Leah to their left. This order has existed since the building was built by the Jewish people 2,000 years ago.

The large Torah ark in the main hall, designed and built by artists Avraham Abergil and Adir Meishram, is composed of three materials: the base is made of stone, the body is made of wood, and the carved doors are made of copper. This is a link to the three patriarchs: the wood – reminds us of Avraham (“And he stood by them under the tree and they ate” – Genesis 18:8), the copper – reminds us of the bowl from the sacrifice of Isaac, and the stone – reminds us of Jacob (several stones appear in the life of Jacob – “the stone that I have set up as a pillar”, the rolling stone over the well, “by the hands of the brave Jacob from the shepherd’s place, the stone of Israel” – Genesis 44).

Now all of these are joined by a triangular roof which invokes the symbol of the Magen David, the Star of David, marking the emergence of David’s kingdom in Hebron, his third official title.”

Rosh Hodesh Elul marks the last month of the year before the High Holiday season. It is one of the ten days out of the year that the Hall of Isaac and Rebecca, the largest section of the Maarat HaMachpela is open to the public.