Rep. Reichert visits ‘Purchase of a Lifetime” in Eretz Israel

30,000 people relived the “Purchase of A Lifetime,” on Shabbat Chaye Sara, at Meorat HaMachpela, Cave of the Patriarchs, in Hevron, this past Shabbat.

Tens of thousands converge yearly on Hevron to commemorate the purchase of Meorat HaMachpela (Cave of the Patriarchs) cave by Avraham more than 3,500 years ago, in a transaction detailed in last Shabbat’s parsha. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash), fourth from left, recently visited the cave during his first trip to Israel, with Dr. Joseph Frager and Dr. Paul Brody, chairman and vice president, respectively, of the International Committee for the Land of Israel, standing to the congressman’s immediate left. The dramatic visit to Hebron and to the cave, including Isaac’s Tomb (Kever Yitzchok), normally available to non-Muslims only 10 days a year, was orchestrated by Hebron spokesman David Wilder (second from left). Ruthie Lieberman of Jaffe Strategies (at left), a licensed tour guide, pointed out the development of significant locales on the way to Hevron. Six first-line responders of Homeland Security from various parts of the U.S. accompanied Rep. Reichert to Israel, to be trained in Israeli security measures. (Photo by Itsik Nissim.)