Shabbat Chevron

Parshat Chayei Sara has been designated as Shabbat Chevron because the Parsha describes Avraham’s purchase of the Machpela Cave and surrounding land as a burial location for Sara. Last year 40,000 Jews celebrated Shabbat Chayei Sara in Chevron, in a strong demonstration of the Jewish connection to this city. 

The Ramban cites Bereishit Rabbah (55:10), which claims that the origin of the name Machpelah (double) may stem from the fact that the Hashem is said to have folded the very tall corpse of Adam in half, in order for it to fit into the cave. Even though the cave was always known as Machpelah, the local Hittite people were unaware of the name’s significance, or that there were graves in the cave. That may also be the reason why in our Parsha, the local people refer to the entire area as Machpelah, whereas Avraham refers only to the cave as Machpelah.

The Midrash teaches that Avraham and Sara had longed to be buried in the final resting place of Adam and Eve. However, no one knew the exact location of that burial place. On the day that Abraham was informed by the angel that Sara would give birth to Yitzchak, Scripture states (Genesis 18:7) that Avraham went out to his herd to select animals in order to prepare a feast for his guests. According to the Midrash, one of the calves ran away into a cave. When Avraham followed the calf, he found Adam and Eve resting on their couches, and a spiritual light of incredible brilliance burning above them. The entire scene was enveloped in incense-like fragrance. This place was the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the Hittite

Chevron was Avraham and Sara’s first permanent home in the land of Canaan. They lived there for some 25 years, relocating to Beer Sheba only after the destruction of Sodom and the incestuous behavior of Lot and his daughters. In Beer Sheba, Avraham proclaimed monotheism, and the Torah states (Genesis 21:33) that he maintained an Eishel in Beer Sheba, which is interpreted by the Midrash to mean a food pantry, or an inn for wayfarers. Even when living elsewhere, Avraham apparently visited Beer Sheba frequently. We now find that Avraham and Sara have moved back to Chevron, and they have been living there for approximately twelve years.

As residents of Beer Sheba, Avraham and Sara were concerned that the Hittites would not allow them to purchase the burial plot in Chevron; so when Sara was 115 years old, they moved back to Chevron, in order to establish permanent residency there, enabling them to purchase the plot.

The name Chevron comes from the Hebrew root of Chibur. As we learn from the previously cited Midrash, Chevron is a location that connects Heaven and Earth. This is one of the hallmark tasks of a Jew: to contribute to the world while acknowledging and publicizing the existence of a spiritual realm. Chevron is also a location that fosters a connection between us and the land of Israel, as well as the connection between us and our heritage / our ancestors (as the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, besides Rachel, are all buried there).

On this Shabbat Chayei Sara/ Shabbat Chevron, let us consider our connection to the Land of Israel and to our Jewish heritage: In what ways are they meaningful? How can we gain more from these connections? How do we transmit the importance of these connections to our children? How can we strengthen these connections in the future?