Chaye Sarah in Hebron
The Hebron Press Office
Sunday November 27, 2005
www.hebron.org.il/news.htm

Yesterday Hebron celebrated the purchase of Ma'arat HaMachpela, bought
almost 4,000 years ago by the Patriarch Abraham, to bury his wife, Sarah.
Annually, as this Torah portion is read, thousands of people arrive in
Hebron for Shabbat to hear these verses recited at the very site Abraham
purchased.

This Shabbat, over 25,000 people from Israel and around the world, arrived
in Hebron to participate in this special event. Hundreds traveled from the
United States especially for this Shabbat, via Hebron's New York office, the
Hebron Fund, and through AFSI. In addition, thousands of Israeli couples
and youth were hosted by Hebron and Kiryat Arba families.

Youth slept in public buildings, prepared especially for Shabbat. Due to the
warm weather, many also pitched tents in Hebron and Kiryat Arba. Shabbat
meals were provided for those who made prior reservations.

Families in Hebron and Kiryat Arba hosted dozens of people in their homes,
with guests sleeping on any available floor space.

Friday night, the multitudes gathered at Ma'arat HaMachpela, the Tomb of the
Patriarchs and Matriarchs, for evening worship. The entire building was open
to Jewish worshipers, including Ohel Yitzhak, the Isaac Hall, open to Jews
only 11 days during the year. Huge prayer services were held both inside and
outside, in the Ma'ara courtyard. Thousands joyously sang and danced the
traditional Kabbalat Shabbat service.

Following the evening meal, many of the guests attended classes and lectures
in Hebron and Kiryat Arba. People could be seen roaming the streets of
Hebron through the early hours of the morning.

At five thirty in the morning, thousands gathered for early morning prayers
at Ma'arat HaMachpela. A 'central service' began at eight o'clock in Ohel
Yitzhak, with thousands crowding in and participating. Hearing the ancient
words chanted, written by a scribe on parchment, describing the lengthy
negotiations leading to Abraham's purchase of the caves and field, almost
four millennium ago, at that very site, left everyone in awe.

Following the services and afternoon meal, throngs toured Hebron's Jewish
neighborhoods, with tours given in Hebrew, English, French and Russian. A
festive 'third meal' was attended by hundreds of guests from the United
States in the Gutnick Center.

Hebron leaders, extremely happy with the huge turnout, said that this was
the largest "Chaye Sarah" Shabbat gathering ever. They expressed hope that
Israeli politicians and world leaders would take note of the tremendous
international support for Hebron's Jewish community. They also commented
that such a strong show of support should assist in efforts to prevent the
possible expulsion of Jewish families from the 'Mitzpe Shalhevet
neighborhood, which was ordered to be implemented before the end of 2005.