(VIDEOS AND PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

An estimated 15,000 mispallalim took part in slichos in the Ma’aras HaMachpelah on Tuesday night the eve of 7 Tishrei. The holy site was open exclusively to Jews the entire day, including Ulam Yitzchak.

The Karliner Rebbe and thousands of chassidim were among the visitors during the day, wishing to be mispallel at Kivrei Avos before Yom Kippur. The main slichos, which began years back with HaGaon HaRav Mordechai Eliyahu ZT”L were led this year by Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, Chief Rabbi HaRav Dovid Lau, and HaRav Shmuel Eliyahu. Deputy Defense Minister Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan was present as well as were other public officials.

On Wednesday evening beginning at 19:00 outside on the steps of the Machpelah, there will be a large gathering of women led by Yemima Mizrachi, Ruchama Ben-Yosef and Ettie Ankri.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)