Rabbi David Lau, on Hebron
Taken by the movie " From Genesis to Independence"
Four cities are defined in the Bible as sacred cities.
The largest sacred city is Jerusalem, and immediately south of it lies the city of Hebron.
Hebron is the city in which David, King of Israel, established his kingdom before coming to Jerusalem
Hebron is the city where the four patriarchs and their wives are buried, hidden in the cave.
Adam, with his wife Eve
Abraham, with his wife Sara.
Isaac, with his wife Rebecca.
Jacob, with his wife Leah.
The cave of the patriarchs, situated in the city of Hebron, became an important place for Jews of all generations who want to live close to Jerusalem.
When Jerusalem is liberated in the Six Day War and comes under Israeli control, the city of Hebron is also liberated and is also a Jewish house where Jews can return to.
In difficult times, the Jews were the victims of serious riots, especially during the 1929 Hebron massacre where citizens, Jews and yeshiva boys from the city were murdered.
At this time, after the deliverance of Jerusalem, Jews returned to Hebron, the holy city,
and establish the settlement of Kiryat Arba.
The Jewish settlement of Hebron joins up with Jerusalem, a Jewish belt, in a Jewish country, the country of our fathers.