Page 30 - HaMizrachiChayei Sarah AUS 2020

CHAYEI SARAH READING

Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum

DISCO VERING

THE HIDDEN LIGHT

OF CHEVRON Photo courtesy of the Jewish Community of Hebron

MA’A SEH AV O T SIMAN LEBANIM

his Shabbat we read about the place for himself and his wife, Sarah. Avraham Avinu. This area is believed
first “Jewish Real Estate Agent,” In Hebrew, the word HaBakar, the to be directly above the Double Cave.
TAvraham Avinu, purchasing calf, is made up of the same letters as Suddenly, a big commotion ensued
the Cave of Machpelah. The Torah HaKever, the grave. when the Israeli Police realized he was
goes into great detail, describing the in the restricted area. They shouted
title, deed and negotiations surround- Although Efron the Hittite had owned at me to take him out. Immediately.
ing the purchase of the Double Cave. this cave for so many years, he was However, Yedidya was in a trance,
The commentaries are puzzled by unable to sense anything unique or sitting on the floor, smiling and com-
Avraham’s insistence to bury Sarah special about it. All Efron saw was a pletely at ease. Then for the first time
Imeinu specifically in this cave when dark, dingy cave and so he was will- in his life, Yedidya spoke.
there were so many available burial ing to give it away for free. Avraham
caves elsewhere in Chevron. Avinu, the true owner, was able to In a clear, strong voice, he proclaimed
sense the “entrance to paradise” and “הֹ ּ פ רֹוא.” He excitedly repeated these
The Zohar HaKadosh and the Mid- the fragrance and spiritual light ema- words “הֹ ּ פ רֹוא” – a light here, “לֹוד ָּג רֹוא
rash teach us that on the third day nating from within. הֹ ּ פ” – a great light here. As he was
after his circumcision, Avraham pointing below in the direction of the
Avinu was in emotional distress over f f f Double Cave, he continued to speak,
being unable to invite guests. When At the age of three, my son Yedidya proclaiming “הֹ ּ פ הֹ ּ פ ,תִי ַּ ב א ָּ מ ִ א ,תִי ַּ ב א ָּ ב ַ א”
the three angels came to visit him, was diagnosed with autism. He could – the House of my Father, the House
Avraham personally went to prepare not communicate with words and of my Mother, right here.
a great feast. The Zohar teaches us made no eye contact. Despite endless
that the calf Avraham had been plan- efforts and therapy to facilitate him to 3,800 years later, my son Yedidya
ning to serve to the angels ran away communicate, he was still lost in his amazingly sensed the great spiritual
toward the area of the Ma’ara. While own world. light emanating from the Cave of
in pursuit of the calf, Avraham felt a Machpelah.
great light and a beautiful fragrance One day, Yedidya joined me on a
emanating from the cave where tour of Chevron and the Ma’ara.
Adam and Eve were buried. At that He climbed through the bars of Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum is Director of
point, he desired the cave as a burial the locked symbolic memorial of Tourism at The Hebron Fund.

ust like our matriarch Sarah introduced us to candle lighting, The Hebron Fund is providing YOU with a
Jbeautiful copy of the bracha and Yehi Ratzon which you can fold into a table-tent and place by your Shab-
bat candles. In this way we hope that you will stay connected to Hebron. Download and print copies, and
read more divrei Torah about Chayei Sarah, at hebronfund.org.

Rabbi Daniel Rosenstein
Executive Director, The Hebron Fund

30 |