Cave of Matriarchs and Patriarchs
Hebron
The Cave of the Matriarchs and Patriarchs is a holy space in Judaism and Islam. It is the burial spot of Abraham, the father of both religions. As such, it holds sanctity for both groups.
The space is divided with access to equal sides of the tombs for both religious groups without seeing or interacting with one another. There is a separate entry for Jews and Muslims. A mosque on one side and multiple Jewish prayer spaces on the other side. There is no place where Muslims and Jews see each other or interact with one another inside the building. This stems from the horrific terror incident perpetrated by Baruch Goldstein in Winter of 1994.
These pictures were all taken from the Jewish side.
These pictures were taken with my A7C and A1ii and mixed Sony lenses.
Outside of the Jewish Section of the Cave of the Ancestors
Meditation
Outside of the Jewish Section of the Cave of the Ancestors
Man playing guitar outside
Muslim Side Minaret
Prayers outside of the Walls of the Cave. Believed to be burial spot of Ramban
Believed to be burial spot of Ramban
Prayers outside of the Walls of the Cave. Believed to be burial spot of Ramban
Tomb of Matriarch Sarah
Prayers in room outside tombs
Abraham's Tomb
Ark outside of the tombs for daily prayer
Jacob's Tomb
You can leave your hat on
Space for lighting memorial candles
kids peering through to the Muslim side
Jacob's Tomb
Deep in Prayer
Yeshiva between the Tombs
You can leave your hat on
Father and sons
Woman between the Tombs, praying
Fragrance for a sweet week
Israeli soldier
Tzedakah collection box
Praying at the tomb
Young Boy peering into the tombs
Jacob's Tomb
Prayers outside of Tomb of Jacob. Notice no separation between men and women, when praying here.
Local taking a study break
The sexton of the study hall
Litter of kittens
Morning prayers near Ramban's grave
Man wearing two sets of Tefillin
Jewish Children playing in the streets
Shuttered Shops
Tow Arab men carrying tomatoes
A Coke and a smile
Picnic site for archaeologists in Hebron
Tow Arab women carrying flour
Facade of Machpelah
Grave of Ruth and Yishai
Excavation in Hebron
Excavation in Hebron
Arab man walking home
Graffiti that reads - "I will not fear because YOU are with me." Psalm 23.
Checkpoint
Shuttered Streets
Memorial Markers
Arab Home
Shuttered Streets in Hebron
Waiting for the bus
His shoes
Spilling the Tea!
Prayers at burial spot of Ramban
Entrance to the Tombs
Chairs for circumcision, regularly practiced on 8 day old boys before Abraham and Isaac's burial spot. Both were the first two Jews circumcised in Jewish Tradition.
Spare Tefillin for any to use in prayer
Abraham's Tomb
Sneaking a drag
Deep in Prayer before Abraham's Tomb
Prayer before Tomb of Abraham
Head of Esau's Tomb
Smiling face
Facade of the Cave
Entrance to the Cave and Tombs
Ruth's Tomb
Burial spot of Ruth and Yishai
Two Tefillin
National Graffitti
Memorial Marker
Arab Home
Outside of the Cave
