Over 20,000 Come to Chevron for Shabbos Chayei Sarah

Eretz Yisroel: More than 20,000 Yidden went to Chevron this past Shabbos, Parshas Chayei Sarah, which talks about Avrohom Avinu's purchase of the Me'oras Hamachpeilah in Chevron. It has become tradition for thousands to gather in Chevron each year on this Shabbos. Hundreds remained last night to show support for Yidden trying to hold on to the Peace House, a four-story building that was purchased from Arabs but which the courts have ordered to be taken away from Yidden. The justices said the civil courts must determine the true ownership of the building but said that they found the weight of evidence was in favor of Arabs who claim that Jews forged the purchase. Despite the large number of visitors to Chevron, the Shabbos passed quietly and without violence except for one incident in which a teenager was arrested for alledgedly attacking a policemen. The ongoing media campaign to besmirch the residents of Chevron did not deter the many who understand the significance of spending this Shabbos in the City of the Avos and Imahos. The Machpelah was overflowing with tefillos on Shabbos, as a special atmosphere permeated the Holy City as the tzibur read the parsha talking about Am Yisrael’s undisputable right to the city, a right that has yet to be realized by the Supreme Court and the Government of Israel.