Tens of Thousands Expected in Chevron for Shabbos Chayei Sarah

Tens of thousands of Jews are expected to spend Shabbos in Chevron this week. According to leaders of the Jewish community in Chevron, all hotels, hostels and other facilities in Kiryat Arba and Chevron have long been sold out, and many will spend Shabbos sleeping in tents and dining in a communal tent.

The annual event on the Shabbos of Parashas Chayei Sarah commemorates the purchase of Me’aras Hamachpelah by Avraham Avinu. The details of the purchase are in the parashah that is read this week. Police recommended that visitors to Chevron leave early, as major traffic tie-ups are expected.

A larger crowd is expected this year, because last year, due to the COVID restrictions, the annual Shabbos wasn’t held.