The Tombs of the Patriarchs (Me’arat Hamachpelah)
One of the holiest places in Israel is Hebron, and specifically the Tomb of the Patriarchs. It is holy both to the Jews and the Muslims and very important to the Christians. Today it is most probably one of the most controversial places between the Jews and the Muslims.
Inside the building are 6 tombs of the Patriarchs & Matriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jaboc, Sarah, Rebecca and Leah. Rachel was buried near Bethlehem on the way to Efratah) and many people come to pray here. The real tombs are a few levels beneath the existing building. The tombs in the building mark and serve as a memorial for people to come and pray. Per the Jewish tradition Adam & Eve are also buried here.
In the Bible, in the Book of Genesis: “And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, but if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there. Ephron answered Abraham, My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred ishekels3 of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead. Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants” (Genesis 23 13-16).
The building that stands today was built by Herod the Great, more than 2,000 years ago and has many architectural features similar to those of the 2nd Holy Temple. A person visiting there in the 6th century described a basilica with 4 lines of columns, where the Jews entered from one side, and the Christians from the other side. He also noted that Frankincense incense was used.
Today, inside the building there is a synagogue and as well as a mosque with many visitors praying either on the Jewish side or the Muslim side.
I’d like to thank the Land of Israel Network for this video.
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