Cave of Machpelah
Machpelah: More Than Just a Cave
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz This coming Saturday Jews will read the Torah portion known as Chayei Sarah (The Life of Sarah). The portion begins with the death of Sarah, the matriarch, and describes Abraham’s purchase of the Machpelah Cave...
A Day After Conquering Temple Mount, One Rabbi Conquered Hebron
On the 28th of Iyar, Israel celebrates Jerusalem Day which commemorates the reunion of the Jewish people with their holiest site, the Temple Mount, in the 1967 Six-Day War. What few people know is that the day after taking part in the...
Mike Pence Stands Strong with the Patriarchs and the Bible in Hebron
Former Vice President Mike Pence made a bold pro-Bible statement on Wednesday when he went to visit the holy city of Hebron where the Biblical patriarchs and matriarchs are buried. Pence proudly announced his visit on Twitter: “Great...
Did Abraham Overpay for the Cave of Machpela?
My grandfather, Rabbi David Stavsky always loved sharing his insights into the weekly Torah portion. Every year, when we would read about the burial of Sarah in Hebron, my grandfather would ask, how did Abraham and Ephron settle on the...
The Portion of Vayechi
In this, the final portion of the book of Genesis, we read of Jacob’s blessings to his sons and grandsons on his deathbed, and his final passing and burial. The book concludes with Joseph’s final days, as well, and his death and enbalming...
The Portion of Chayei Sarah
This week’s portion focuses on the death of Sarah and Abraham’s quest to find a wife for their son, Isaac. Although Abraham disapproves of the local women, he does not want Isaac to leave the Land of Israel to find his wife. Abraham thus...
