Chevron

Going into a weekend with 0 expectations is probably the best way to do it. All I knew is that Frieda set us up to sleep by some rabbi in Chevron for Shabbat. 

Every year on Parashat חיי שרה, Jews flood to חברון in order to pray at מערת המכפלה. There were Israelis, Ethiopians, Phillipinos, and TONS of Yeshivah and Seminary kids. Such a social scene. The Yeshiva and seminary kids all either camp out that Friday night or sleep on the floor in a school. Literally on the floor. 

So anyways, I took a bus with Frieda and Rebecca which was arranged by some girls in AMIT. When we got to Chevron (really Kiriyat Arbah- the next town over and a bit more safe) we were told that we were getting picked up. Who picks us up? Rebecca's consuegro! He brought us to Rabbi Shanis house, who was involved with Barkai Yeshiva in Brooklyn. He gave us some snacks and water and told us to chill here until the other girls staying with us arrived.  We had no idea who it would be. His wife also gave us some cute little slips with the information we need for our accommodations and meals. Meanwhile, my friend Ezra Tawil who lives in Jerusalem walks in which was so weirdly a coincidence and so did some boys from LA that we knew. This was totally unplanned. All of a sudden who walks in next?! Jen Weitzman and Tamar Grazi! Those are the girls staying with us. Two of our good Flatbush friends. What the heck is this. Totally not planned! 

So the rabbis son walks us to the apartment were staying at. Were all ready to walk in with our cookies for the host when the rabbis son gives us the key.

What?

We have our own apartment! More cookies for us. The second we left we started screaming and jumping. This was too good to be true. Our other friends are in tents and a gym floor while were in a nice cozy apartment with sick beds. I appreciated this moment so much!

So when Shabbat started we went to  מערת המכפלה for shul which is in חברון. The second you cross that barbed wire fence there were soldiers lined up literally every few meters. It was nuts. Tons of people were there walking the same route.  מערת המכפלה was so special to look at. (Aside for the crazy social scene)

This is the outside (this pic is from last time I was there)

This place was built by Herod the great. Somewhere under it our Matriarchs and Patriarchs are buried. Yitzchaks area inside is a mosque except for ten days of the year, one of them being this Shabbat. Were so lucky to be here for this. Praying was actually insane.

So we get to dinner which was in a shul, and were eating with a bunch of Flatbush boys. We had no clue this was going to happen. Basically anyone that has a tie to Barkai was there. It was a reunion basically. Alllll unplanned - let me stress it some more. Also we ate with the Mayor which was cool. Aparently Rabbi Shani helped with his campaign so that's cool. 

I loved how shul for us this week was the tomb of the mothers and fathers of our religion. It was really sooooo special. So holy, so holy. 

We really milked it by praying our hearts out because realistically, when's the next time I'll be in Chevron on Parashat Chayey Sarah?? It was such an experience.

Also, Saturday morning on our way to shul we gave out our cookies to soldiers as we walked down the path to  מערת המכפלה. They were super appreciative. I loved seeing the smiles on their faces for this unexpected treat. Also they were so cute. Uch. 😍☺️😊😊🍪🍪🍪 I love when they try to make small talk in broken English and then we flirt back in proper- ish Hebrew. Classic.....

Don't worry mom I won't come home with one 😉

Have a great week errrrebody