A Day on the Road with Irwin, Part Deux

On Monday the third day of Chol Hamoed, or the fourth, whatever may be your preference, we were off to Kever Rachel, not through the heart of Beit Lechem through Derech Beit Lechem, on what is now known as Arafat road, but rather through a circuitous route next to the security fence.

After driving along the fence we reach an opening next to the Kever, where the fence is opened to let the bus through. In previous years it was more than disheartening to go directly through the Machson to Beit Lechem, but this roundabout way was pitiful.

Afterwards, we passed through Beitar, Efrat and Bat Ayin. Continuing on, we went to Britannia Park where we viewed the site of the battle between Goliath and Dovid Hamelech.

Further along, we headed to the Bar Kochva caves and crawled through a few of them. Following that, we walked through vineyards with ever so tiny grapes growing on the vine.

The day ended at the concert in Chevron with thousands of people singing, dancing and praying at the Meorath Hamachpailah; particularly noticeable were the many who were able to Daven at the shrine for Yitzchak Avinu which is only opened for Jews 10 days a year.

It was thrilling to walk through the streets of Chevron with so many people. If only everyday would be like this one.