Hebron

On Sunday, June 15th, several of us (CFI volunteers) went to Hebron to see the Tomb of the Patriarchs, burial place of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the Book of Genesis, this location is know as the Cave of Machpelah which Abraham purchased so he could bury his wife Sarah; And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. So the field and the cave that is in it were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth as property for a burial place. Genesis 23:19-20. Below we are approaching the structure that is built over the actual burial caves.

Below is where our tour started in Hebron at the Bet Hadassah (House of Esther) neighborhood. The basement of this building is a small museum that showcases the Jewish heritage of Hebron. There is an emphasis on the massacre of 1929 when the Arabs rioted and killed 67 Jews in Hebron including the Chief Rabbi. Of course that is before World War II, the Holocaust, or even the modern nation of Israel that was mandated by the League of Nations in 1948. The Six Day War in 1967 re-established the Jewish presence in Hebron.

Inside the museum.

Each of the rooms were beautifully hand-painted by an artist that lives in Hebron.

Outside these young boys were playing a game unkown to me.

The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has a presence at all times in Hebron. Currently there are approximately 800 Jews living in Hebron surrounded by approximately 120,000 or more Arabs. When the Israelites came into the land around 3400 years ago, it was Caleb who conqueored this mountain in Canaan and received Hebron as a reward. And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. Joshua 14:13-14. Below is an IDF outpost looking out over the Jewish neighborhoods.

We were on a short walking tour. In the photo below you see 1) Magen David Adom ambulance. If you zoom in this particular ambulance was dedicated by American Red Magen David for Israel. Magen David is the name of the "Israeli star" 2) Huge blocks of cement that can be used to block the street quickly in times of trouble and 3) White buildings of Hebron Arabs that live adjacent to the Jewish neighborhoods.

Below we are walking from Bet Hadassah neighborhood to Avraham Aveinu (Abraham our Farther) neighborhood. Young IDF soldier on the left probably wondering what all these Gentiles are doing here. In the Torah, seven cities are designated as a City of Refuge where a person could flee in case of an accidental killing of another ("manslaughter"). Hebron was one of those seven cities. Thus to the children of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron with its common-land (a city of refuge for the slayer) ... Joshua 21:13.

Inside the Avraham Avienu synagogue.

Below young mothers and children enjoying a small park at the Avraham Avienu neighborhood. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:4-7.

The little children were laughing and embarassed for me to take their photo. Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psalm 34:11.

This little man under the slide appeared to have plenty of "roads" for his trucks. This little enclave in the neighborhood is currently protected from sniper fire.

However, just 20 yards away is a memorial for Shalhevet Pass, a 10-month old girl who was shot and killed while sitting in her stroller in April, 2001.

A photo of the mothers and children from Shalhevet's Memorial shows you how close they are.

A nearby location where the young Jewish families of Hebron have tried to expand their living accomadations named after Shalhevet.

Even in desolation and destruction, the Lord can grow beauty.

This poster gives a brief history of modern day Hebron. Because of these six apartments, the Arabs cried "expansion in the settlements." Same thing that Secretary of State Rice is doing this week in Jerusalem. The last time the Jews were forced out of these apartments, they just left the destruction for everyone to see.

Doors battered in, sledge hammers used to knock down walls, etc. Very similar to when the Jews were forced out of Gaza by their own government under Ariel Sharon just a few years ago. Today Gaza is totally controlled by Hamas. No wonder Sharon is in a coma.

I can't read the writing on the trailer but I recognize the picture of Jonathan Pollard. Jonathan Pollard was a young American in the Navy in early 80's convicted of spying for Israel. He has been in military prison ever since. Can you spy on your allies? As President Bush approaches his last few days in office in six months, there could be a "push" for him to pardon Pollard. The last few Presidents have "pardoned" many in their last days.

IDF guard as we walk to the Tomb of the Patriarchs. In addition to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Cave of Machpelah is the final resting place for Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah respectively. Jacob's final request to his sons were to bury him with "his fathers". Then he charged them and said to them: "I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hittite as a possession for a burial place. There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife, there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah. The field and the cave that is there were purchased from the sons of Heth." And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. Genesis 49:29-33.

Photos like the one below don't make the news. IDF soldiers and young Arab men were laughing and talking with a barrier wall between them. If you zoom in, the young Arabs are all smiling. The young IDF soldier is either trying to use a cell phone or play a hand-held video game. Later we saw a little Arab boy who had hurt his leg. The IDF were attending to him and calling in the emergency vehicles. The boy's father was standing with them. It did not seem appropriate to take a photo but it would have showed the Jewish humanitarian efforts despite all that has happened here in Hebron.

An IDF unit getting ready to enter the Tomb of the Patriarchs just before we did.

In addition to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, King David established his throne in Hebron at God's direction. It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up." David said, "Where shall I go up?" And He said, "To Hebron." II Samuel 2:1.

King David reigned seven and one half years in Hebron before going to the City of David right next to Jerusalem. And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. II Samuel 2:11. Below is the view of Hebron just before you walk into the Jewish side of the Tomb of the Patriarchs.

Just after the security scanners is this framed painting over the entrance way.

A modern day "ark" where the Torah is kept.

Looks like a Japanese tour group up close and the IDF soldiers in the distance in the main hall.

After eating a quick slice of pizza, we found the designated bus stop. This is the view from the bus stop with complete with IDF guards, cement barriers, and Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the background. If the 800 Jews did not live in the city of Hebron, neither Jews nor Christian would be allowed to visit inside. That was the circumstances between 1948 and 1967.

Christian Friends of Israel waiting on the bus to Jerusalem behind cement barriers. It was a fun outing and we blessed the Jews in Hebron just by coming. The land does belong to the Jews. The Word of God has not changed. He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He remembers His covenant forever, The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, The covenant which He made with Abraham, And His oath to Isaac, And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, To Israel as an everlasting covenant, Saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan As the allotment of your inheritance," ... Psalm 105:7-11