The Jewish Community of Hebron dates back to Biblical times with
Abraham’s purchase of the Cave of Machpela and surrounding field as a burial site for
his wife Sarah 3,800 years ago.
Subsequently, Abraham was buried there, as well as the Biblical heroes Isaac and
Rebecca, and Jacob (Israel) and Leah. The resting place of these three couples, along
with the mystical tradition that Adam and Eve are buried there as well, make the Tomb of
the Machpela the second holiest place for Jews in the world and a place of pilgrimage
for Bible-loving people worldwide.
As the land apportioned to the tribe of Judah, Hebron was known for its lush
agricultural environment ideal for harvesting grapes for wine production. Hebron
continued to be an important city, becoming the King David’s first capital before the
First Temple. Later, King Herod the Great built a grand building on top of Cave of
Machepla in a style to match the Second Temple.
Today the Tomb of
Machpela complex is the world’s oldest structure used for the same purpose for
which it was erected. Jewish people have always been drawn to this place, and thus a
community continued in Hebron from antiquity to the Middle Ages, attracting many exiles
from the Spanish Inquisition. In the 16th century, the community continued to flourish,
rivaling Tsfat as a center of Kabbalah. Later, centers of Jewish learning from Europe
such as the Chabad hasidic movement and the Slabodka Yeshiva relocated to the area.
However, the community came to an abrupt end in the 1929 Jihad riots in which 67 Jews
were murdered.
In the aftermath of the Six Day War, when Hebron was liberated from Jordanian
occupation, the Jewish community was permanently reestablished. As of 2016, Hebron has
over 1,000 residents which includes to over 300 students of the Shavei Hebron yeshiva,
which is headquartered on the ruins of the old Beit Romano building abandoned after the
riots. Hebron’s Jewish community is surrounded by approximately 9,000 residents of
nearby Kiryat Arba and over a dozen communities in the Har Hevron Regional Council
area.
Hebron is home to many Jewish historical sites such as the Tombs of Jesse and Ruth, Othniel Ben Knaz, Abner Ben Ner, and the Tel
Hevron archaeological site. The most well known site is the Tomb of Machpela which
receives over 700,000 visitors a year. Popular times to visit Hebron include Parshat
Chaya Sarah, the Shabbat weekend in which the Torah portion describing Abraham’s
purchase of the Cave of Machpela is read. Other popular events include the annual
Passover music festival and annual Sukkot music festival.
Residents of Hebron are known for their hospitality in the tradition of Abraham and
Sarah. The Hebron Fund organizes weekly visits guided by licensed tour guides. For more
information on tours and donation opportunities contact the Hebron Fund at:
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
Abraham’s purchase of the Cave of Machpela and surrounding field as a burial site for
his wife Sarah 3,800 years ago.
Subsequently, Abraham was buried there, as well as the Biblical heroes Isaac and
Rebecca, and Jacob (Israel) and Leah. The resting place of these three couples, along
with the mystical tradition that Adam and Eve are buried there as well, make the Tomb of
the Machpela the second holiest place for Jews in the world and a place of pilgrimage
for Bible-loving people worldwide.
As the land apportioned to the tribe of Judah, Hebron was known for its lush
agricultural environment ideal for harvesting grapes for wine production. Hebron
continued to be an important city, becoming the King David’s first capital before the
First Temple. Later, King Herod the Great built a grand building on top of Cave of
Machepla in a style to match the Second Temple.
Today the Tomb of
Machpela complex is the world’s oldest structure used for the same purpose for
which it was erected. Jewish people have always been drawn to this place, and thus a
community continued in Hebron from antiquity to the Middle Ages, attracting many exiles
from the Spanish Inquisition. In the 16th century, the community continued to flourish,
rivaling Tsfat as a center of Kabbalah. Later, centers of Jewish learning from Europe
such as the Chabad hasidic movement and the Slabodka Yeshiva relocated to the area.
However, the community came to an abrupt end in the 1929 Jihad riots in which 67 Jews
were murdered.
In the aftermath of the Six Day War, when Hebron was liberated from Jordanian
occupation, the Jewish community was permanently reestablished. As of 2016, Hebron has
over 1,000 residents which includes to over 300 students of the Shavei Hebron yeshiva,
which is headquartered on the ruins of the old Beit Romano building abandoned after the
riots. Hebron’s Jewish community is surrounded by approximately 9,000 residents of
nearby Kiryat Arba and over a dozen communities in the Har Hevron Regional Council
area.
Hebron is home to many Jewish historical sites such as the Tombs of Jesse and Ruth, Othniel Ben Knaz, Abner Ben Ner, and the Tel
Hevron archaeological site. The most well known site is the Tomb of Machpela which
receives over 700,000 visitors a year. Popular times to visit Hebron include Parshat
Chaya Sarah, the Shabbat weekend in which the Torah portion describing Abraham’s
purchase of the Cave of Machpela is read. Other popular events include the annual
Passover music festival and annual Sukkot music festival.
Residents of Hebron are known for their hospitality in the tradition of Abraham and
Sarah. The Hebron Fund organizes weekly visits guided by licensed tour guides. For more
information on tours and donation opportunities contact the Hebron Fund at:
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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewishcommunityofhebron/
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
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
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebron_machpela/
Public transportation:
Egged-Taavura bus lines 381, 382 and 383 leave from the Jerusalem Central Bus
station and stops in front of the Tomb of Machpela. For detailed information visit the
Egged-Taavura
website or Bus.co.il or
Waze or
Bus.gov.il.
