What do you know, it's back to Yerushalaim this morning, but that is not our destination for the day. We met up with our tour bus after a bit of a late start and an aggravating drive at the Leonardo Plaza Hotel on King George and began our travels. A trip to Israel is not complete without visiting the grave sites of our forefathers who started this all. Our first stop was just outside Yerushalaim at Kever Rachel. I hadn't been inside ever but the last time I was nearby it was a small room surrounded by concrete blocks. Now the Israeli government and army have created a bunker like enclosure to the place. It is secure from all sides (especially from the Arabs in Bethlehem) by GIANT sheets of concrete and steel. The place has been built up, it is safe, but it is a very sad statement that this is the way it needs to be if Jewish people want to continue to pray and give respects at Rachel's grave site.
Our bus then drove for about 40 minutes until we reached Hebron. We made a few stops seeing where and how the residents - 90 families - live amongst thousands of hostile Arabs. It is shocking to see the regulations the Israeli government has imposed on Jewish citizens wishing to live in the city first purchased by our very own Avraham Avinu. We heard the story of the massacre in 1929 and saw the graveyard. We drove by Beit Hadassah. We went into the Avraham Avinu shul and saw a Torah from rescued and used today since the 1492 Spanish Expulsion. Finally we went to Ma'arat HaMacpelah. Mincha service was held inside and then we were left to pay our respects to everyone but Yitzchak and Rivka, as that section is only open to Jews 10 days a year.
The trip was an important one. The absence of concrete bunkers surrounding the place is only due to the human barriers that are the families sacrificing to live in Hebron. It was serious and thought provoking. It was spiritual and an eye opener, but to be honest it will not likely be a highlight of the trip in my children's eyes. It was hot, the guide (Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum) was passionate about his city, but was a bit sharp with the kids and even some adults. His approach was more of a fund raiser than a teacher and story teller. I am not sure who else gives this type of tour -- this one can be found by going to
www.hebronfund.org . It was $200 a family or $40 a person. Any extra money you wish to donate to the hebron fund in order to support financially and politically the families of Hebron is welcomed. Whether you go with them or with some one else, it is worthwhile going and an important statement all on its own.
What do you know, it's back to Yerushalaim this morning, but that is not our destination for the day. We met up with our tour bus after a bit of a late start and an aggravating drive at the Leonardo Plaza Hotel on King George and began our travels. A trip to Israel is not complete without visiting the grave sites of our forefathers who started this all. Our first stop was just outside Yerushalaim at Kever Rachel. I hadn't been inside ever but the last time I was nearby it was a small room surrounded by concrete blocks. Now the Israeli government and army have created a bunker like enclosure to the place. It is secure from all sides (especially from the Arabs in Bethlehem) by GIANT sheets of concrete and steel. The place has been built up, it is safe, but it is a very sad statement that this is the way it needs to be if Jewish people want to continue to pray and give respects at Rachel's grave site.
what did you think was more emotional- kever rochel or maaras hamachpela? i have never been to either, mom never let me!
ReplyDeletea snarky tourguide would be a big turnoff for me.
You do not need to go with a tour guide of any sort to Kever Rachel because of the concrete compound barriers. People even go at night. While we were there, there was a field trip of little girls davening there. So security today is not a concern.
ReplyDeleteSecurity to Hebron and Maarat HaMachpela IS a huge problem, so you need to go with a guide or at least a secure bus. I imagine there are other guides and tours, but for some reason this one is the most famous. Emotion-wise, however, I vote Maarat HaMachpela. You have most of the avos there and you are NOT surrounded by bunkers.