Rosh HaYeshiva, Machon Meir
Abraham's acquisition of Ma'arat HaMachpela from Ephron was not a conventional purchase. It says, "Ephron's field in Machpelah adjoining Mamre thus became [Abraham's] uncontested property. [This included] the field, its cave, and every tree within its circumference" (Genesis 23:17). Rashi comments, "'It became his property' [vayakam] The land underwent a rebirth [tekuma], for it left the property of non-royalty and became the property of a king."
Seemingly it was the same field and the same cave. Truthfully, however, the virtue and worth of these places had changed 180 degrees. It ceased to be the field of a subject and became the field of a king, a royal field.
Indeed, many years later, David's kingdom first appeared at Hebron. As is well known, David's kingdom was not just a political regime. Rather, it is by way of the kingdom of Israel that the kingdom of G-d appears and is revealed. As we say in our prayers on Rosh Hashana, "Hashem, the G-d of Israel is King, and His sovereignty is overall." And when shall His kingdom be revealed? When the kingdom of the righteous Messiah is established, as it says, "G-d shall be King over the whole earth. On that day shall Hashem be one and His name one" (Zechariah 14:9).
Today, after many hundreds of years during Jews lacked the privilege of praying inside the Tomb of the Patriarchs, we have finally merited that the children's children of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca and Leah, buried there, are once more returning to Ma'arat HaMachpelah in Hebron. Our reconnection to Hebron constitutes rebirth for these holy places, through which was begun the revelation of David's kingdom.
Today as well, Hebron is in a process of being rebuilt, and its wonderful residents who hold on to it by their fingertips despite all the difficulties and pressures from within and without are the first strike force going ahead of the camp, before the entire Jewish People, to restore the kingdom of the house of David. With their self-sacrifice, they broadcast great faith and a great love of Eretz Yisrael. There are love and faith that are nourished by Abraham, of whom it said, "Go forth… to the Land…. and I will make you a great nation, and you shall be for a blessing. Through you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12).
How fortunate we are that we are meriting to return to the land of our life's blood, to Hebron, where our Patriarchs and Matriarchs are buried. The day is not far off when we will likewise merit that the nations will know and recognize our role here…
Ultimately a time will come when, "All of mankind will call upon G-d's name, and all the wicked of the earth will be turned to G-d… All will undertake the yoke of Your kingdom, and may You reign over them forever and ever." (Aleinu)
Looking forward to redemption,
Shabbat Shalom.
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