Torah portion this Sabbath: Abraham's purchase of the Machpelah Cave (Tomb of the Patriarchs)

This Sabbath, Jews will read the Torah portion “Chayei Sarah,” which describes the biblical patriarch Abraham's purchase of the Machpelah Cave (Tomb of the Patriarchs) following the death of his beloved wife Sarah. The holy site, in Hevron, is now a thriving site of Torah study and prayer that draws visitors from around the world.

Many thousands of visitors began arriving in Hevron and the nearby city of Kiryat Arba on Friday, and plan to spend the Sabbath in the area in honor of Abraham's purchase, which according to Jewish tradition forged an eternal connection to the city of Hevron. More