The Meoras Hamachpeilah in Chevron will be open all night long during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The Meoras Hamachpeilah was closed to the public from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.until now, and has not been open 24 hours a day at any time in recent memory.
The IDF’s top commander in the Chevron area, Col. Guy Hazout, approved a request by the Kiryat Arba Religious Council’s to allow visitors into the Meoras Hamachpeilah for Selichos at night.
This year, Ramadan ends on September 10, and the Meoras Hamachpeilah will not be open to Jews on that day. It will, however, be open on all of the other Aseres Yemei Teshuvah.
According to Yossi Dayan, Head of the Kiryat Arba Religious Council, “Thousands of visitors come to Chevron during the month of Elul and this is even more meaningful on the Aseret Yemei of Teshuva during which there are visits by organized groups, individuals, families and groups from abroad.”
“In order to give additional possibilities for holding prayers and saying Selichot, we asked that the Cave be open during the nighttime hours and the request was approved. We are appreciate this and there are already plans for central sessions for Selichot recitation on those nights.”
Read more at Arutz Shevah.
{Arutz Shevah/Matzav.com Israel}
