Page 44 - HaMizrachi #14 2019 Chayei Sarah USA

PLACES IN ISRAEL

Eve Harow

Hebron,

Grounding our Nation

a’arat HaMachpela, the with the Creator above. Hebron’s role Avraham Avinu’s overwhelming
Tomb of the Patriarchs is different. It is the place where the love and grief for his wife Sarah, that
Mand Matriarchs, is a first kinyan – legal transaction – is spurred him to buy the cave, was a
2000-year-old Herodian structure made with the people and the Land prescient act to forever connect future
built over a twin burial cave at the of Israel. Hence it makes sense that generations with the city.
edge of a field bought by Avraham our ties to the Land, in the form of
Avinu approximately 3800 years ago. the permanent burial of the founding Last month, during Sukkot, I was with
couples of monotheism and the Jewish a group on Abu Sneina Hill, where
When we drive there today, we can we had special permission to visit the
actually feel the terrain as we travel people, be in Hebron, but in the low army base there. In this critical spot,
on a windy, narrow, steep road to the area, well in the ground. Our roots, our soldiers watch and protect visitors
large complex down in the valley, literally planted in the depths of the and worshipers from those who want
surrounded by hills. One of those earth. to terrorize us into leaving our holy
hills is the site of Tel Rumeida/ In Kabbalistic teachings, each of our Land. It becomes very clear from
Admot Yishai, thought by most to holy cities represents one of the four there how vulnerable the plaza is, how
be the Biblical city of the Hittites, elements. Tzfat is air, Tiberias water, dedicated our soldiers are and how
where Avraham makes the business Jerusalem fire and Hebron earth. our nation will not be deterred from
transaction, as recorded in detail in Hebron today, despite the massive reconnecting with our forefathers and
Parashat Chayei Sarah. It later served building and development in the mothers.
as King David’s first capital in a united areas controlled by the Palestinian
kingdom. Avraham’s spring is just Authority, still reflects that simple Listen to the Land and the messages
below the Tel. idea. You feel it in your feet as you from our glorious past. Stand with

The topography and layout are the walk and see it in the archaeological Tanach in hand in our complicated
present,
and
verses
the
read
same as in Ir David, ancient Jerusalem; discoveries exposing more and more understand how and why the events
the fortified town on the heights, a just under the surface. happened in this place. For too long
spring providing water all year round For example, three enormous mikvaot we were humiliated and refused
on the terraced slopes, and fields (ritual baths) from Second Temple the basic human right of peacefully
in the valley. The difference in the times, food storage, oil and wine praying in our own Land.
cities is in how we relate to them; in presses, pottery kilns and more from
Jerusalem, the emphasis is on the all periods of Jewish life. Jerusalem’s No longer.
peak, specifically the Temple Mount archaeology is now uncovering the
above the town, but in Hebron, the pilgrims’ roads leading to the Temple We head into a magnificent future of
focus is on the lower part of the site, Mount, while Hebron’s reveals more pride in our Land and our heritage.
the shrine above the caves. of the trappings and implements of But only if we recall the history and
how closely it relates to us.
Thereby the land itself physically everyday life and work.
reflects the different roles the cities We need both, the physical and the And for that, there is no place like
play in our tradition. Jerusalem was spiritual. Hebron.
the place where the people, as a Eve Harow is a licensed Israeli tour guide
nation, met to pay homage to G-d on Next time you’re in Hebron, let the and member of the Mizrachi Speakers
holidays and forge a bond as a nation natural topography speak to you. Bureau

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