The Day of Atonement was marked in Hebron at the Tomb of Machpela and
other locations such as the Avraham Avinu synagogue and
Chabad of Hebron. The annual hospitality tent has steadily increased in popularity
as guests are accommodated for Yom Kippur.
other locations such as the Avraham Avinu synagogue and
Chabad of Hebron. The annual hospitality tent has steadily increased in popularity
as guests are accommodated for Yom Kippur.
Israelis from all over enjoyed meals before and after their day-long fast
and accommodations such as the tents (pictured below) and home
hospitality.
and accommodations such as the tents (pictured below) and home
hospitality.
The Jewish community of Hebron would like to thank the local municipality,
Chabad of Hebron, and all others who contributed to a successful High Holiday
season.
Chabad of Hebron, and all others who contributed to a successful High Holiday
season.
Events of the past week included the main slichot event, the women’s concert,
and Rosh Hashannah. All included, tens of thousands visited the City of the
Patriarchs & Matriarchs.
and Rosh Hashannah. All included, tens of thousands visited the City of the
Patriarchs & Matriarchs.
We are now looking forward to the annual Succot music festival featuring top
name Israeli artists. For more information click here.
name Israeli artists. For more information click here.
Yom Kippur brings to mind the classic story of how the historic Avraham
Avinu synagogue, built in 1540, received its name. The following story is from
Days of Awe by S. Y. Agnon, translated from the 1648 classic
work Emek HaMelech by Rabbi Naftali Hertz
Bacharach.
Avinu synagogue, built in 1540, received its name. The following story is from
Days of Awe by S. Y. Agnon, translated from the 1648 classic
work Emek HaMelech by Rabbi Naftali Hertz
Bacharach.
The text describes Hebron as having a dwindling Jewish community, and this
was the case following the 1619 epidemic that drove much of the community to Gaza
for safety. But during other periods, Hebron had a thriving Jewish
population.
was the case following the 1619 epidemic that drove much of the community to Gaza
for safety. But during other periods, Hebron had a thriving Jewish
population.
TENTH MAN FOR A QUORUM
Let me tell you, O children of the living God, about the wonderful thing
that happened in Hebron on Yom Kippur. Now you must know that there are not always
ten men in Hebron to worship publicly; it is only on Sabbaths and holidays that
people from the villages assemble here so that they can pray with a quorum of ten
and more; but all the inhabitants of Hebron are very pious.
that happened in Hebron on Yom Kippur. Now you must know that there are not always
ten men in Hebron to worship publicly; it is only on Sabbaths and holidays that
people from the villages assemble here so that they can pray with a quorum of ten
and more; but all the inhabitants of Hebron are very pious.
Now it came to pass one Yom Kippur eve that there were only nine men in
Hebron, and the inhabitants of Hebron waited for the villagers to come, but no one
of them came. For they had all gone to Jerusalem to the holy city, may it be
rebuilt and re-established speedily in our days, since it is nearby, being only a
distance of a quarter of a day’s travel away. So they were in great sorrow, lest
they each be forced to pray alone on Yom Kippur, and they wept
bitterly.
Hebron, and the inhabitants of Hebron waited for the villagers to come, but no one
of them came. For they had all gone to Jerusalem to the holy city, may it be
rebuilt and re-established speedily in our days, since it is nearby, being only a
distance of a quarter of a day’s travel away. So they were in great sorrow, lest
they each be forced to pray alone on Yom Kippur, and they wept
bitterly.
Now the sun had already sunk, and it was very late. And it come to pass that
they lifted their eyes, and lo and behold, and old man coming from the distance;
and they rejoiced exceedingly when they saw him. Now when he had come up to them
they set the Concluding Meal before him that he might eat; but he blessed and
thanked them, and said that he had already eaten on the way. So they prayed on the
holy day, and honored the man highly.
they lifted their eyes, and lo and behold, and old man coming from the distance;
and they rejoiced exceedingly when they saw him. Now when he had come up to them
they set the Concluding Meal before him that he might eat; but he blessed and
thanked them, and said that he had already eaten on the way. So they prayed on the
holy day, and honored the man highly.
At the close of Yom Kippur they fell into a dispute, for every one wanted to
take the guest to his home. Finally they decided to cast lots, and the guest fell
to the lot of the cantor, who was a pious man and related wonderful dreams and
visions of the night. So the cantor went homeward, the guest following after him.
When the cantor came near his home, he turned around to honor the guest and allow
him to enter the house first — and he looked, and, lo and behold, he was gone.
They sought him but could not find him anywhere about.
take the guest to his home. Finally they decided to cast lots, and the guest fell
to the lot of the cantor, who was a pious man and related wonderful dreams and
visions of the night. So the cantor went homeward, the guest following after him.
When the cantor came near his home, he turned around to honor the guest and allow
him to enter the house first — and he looked, and, lo and behold, he was gone.
They sought him but could not find him anywhere about.
Then they were all greatly saddened, for they thought that he had gone on his
way in the night, because he had not wished to partake of their hospitality. But on
that night the old man visited the cantor in a dream, and told him that
he
was our father Abraham, peace be upon him, who had come to complete their
quorum, for he saw they were in great sorrow, lest they should each have to pray
alone. And they rejoiced greatly and blessed the great God for having done wondrous
deeds. Amen, and so be His will.
quorum, for he saw they were in great sorrow, lest they should each have to pray
alone. And they rejoiced greatly and blessed the great God for having done wondrous
deeds. Amen, and so be His will.
Additional sources:
* The
Heart is a Mirror: The Sephardic Folktale by Tamar
Alexander-Frizer, chapter 5 page 122
Heart is a Mirror: The Sephardic Folktale by Tamar
Alexander-Frizer, chapter 5 page 122
* Ethical
Tales from the Kabbalah: Stories from the Kabbalistic Ethical Writings
by Aryeh Wineman – Father Abraham Completes a Prayer
Quorum, page 80
Tales from the Kabbalah: Stories from the Kabbalistic Ethical Writings
by Aryeh Wineman – Father Abraham Completes a Prayer
Quorum, page 80
* Encyclopedia
of Jewish Folklore and Traditions by Raphael Patai, page
235-236
of Jewish Folklore and Traditions by Raphael Patai, page
235-236
* Folktales
of the Jews, V. 3 (Tales from Arab Lands) by Dan Ben Amos – The
Tenth Man in Hebron, chapter 1 page 2
HEBRON IN THE YOM KIPPUR TEMPLE SERVICE
Hebron is also mentioned in the Mishna in Tractate Yoma, which
describes the ancient Yom Kippur service in detail. The Jewish community wished to
begin the Yom Kippur service on time with a watchman stationed to observe the
sunrise. When the first rays of morning light arrived, the watchman would call out
“barkai!” to which another officer would ask, “as far a Hebron?” The watchman would
reply, ” yes, as far as Hebron.” (Mishna Yoma, 3:1).
of the Jews, V. 3 (Tales from Arab Lands) by Dan Ben Amos – The
Tenth Man in Hebron, chapter 1 page 2
HEBRON IN THE YOM KIPPUR TEMPLE SERVICE
Hebron is also mentioned in the Mishna in Tractate Yoma, which
describes the ancient Yom Kippur service in detail. The Jewish community wished to
begin the Yom Kippur service on time with a watchman stationed to observe the
sunrise. When the first rays of morning light arrived, the watchman would call out
“barkai!” to which another officer would ask, “as far a Hebron?” The watchman would
reply, ” yes, as far as Hebron.” (Mishna Yoma, 3:1).
Commentators add that the mention of Hebron was a geographical landmark as
well as a historical tribute to the burial site of the founders of their faith at the
Tomb of
Machpela.
well as a historical tribute to the burial site of the founders of their faith at the
Tomb of
Machpela.
Sources:
To arrange a guided tour of Hebron contact us:
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronfund
Israeli contact info:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hebron.machpela
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronvideo
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