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

Rabbi Daniel Rosenstein
Executive Director, The Hebron Fund