Chapter 17

Afterward the days of Shovavim began. Some members of our fellowship traveled to Meron that week (namely, Parashas Shemos), for this period is especially auspicious for the service of Hashem and the rectification of the covenant, as is known from the sacred works and the writings of the Arizal. I therefore engaged more extensively in the service of Hashem at that time. Throughout that period we would rise at midnight, and I would study together with my son and properly recite Tikkun Chatzos. We often went to the Western Wall and afterward recited Psalms, and many times we recited them communally in the synagogue of Batei Machaseh.

I also began to fast, for that time is auspicious, as is known from the writings of the Arizal. I therefore began to test whether I could do it; but it was very difficult for me to fast each and every day. At any rate, during the first week - namely, Parashas Shemos - I fasted throughout the week: every day I fasted, and at night I ate.

There were also younger members of our fellowship who had made a beginning in going to all the holy places - namely, to Rachel’s Tomb and likewise to Meron, as related above. They yearned and longed to make a beginning in going to Hebron as well. Three years had passed since the great pogroms, and no Jewish foot had set there; the fear was certainly beyond estimation or measure. When I heard this from them, they also asked me whether I wished to travel with them without first making arrangements with the government. They said only that, once there, they would endeavor to obtain a policeman to stand with them at the Cave of Machpelah.

When I heard this, trembling seized me: how could one exercise such self-sacrifice over this? I did not consent to travel together with them. They themselves boarded an Arab automobile bound for Hebron and arrived there. They stood in the street; Arab children surrounded them, and they experienced great fear. Several of their number went to the police station to ask that policemen be provided to accompany them to the Cave of Machpelah.

The police replied that this was not their affair; they should go to the military governor, who could grant them permission. They went from there to the military headquarters and to the officer in command, all amid great fear. He replied that he could do nothing for them at present. On another occasion, if they wished, they would have to write him a letter two weeks in advance, stating the day on which they wished to come and the number of people. At present it was utterly impossible, and they left dejected.

The two men who had gone to seek permission from the military commander had the presence of mind to go by themselves to the Cave of Machpelah. Throughout the way they experienced mortal fear, and the children also pelted them with stones. They merely approached the Cave of Machpelah, recited a single chapter of Psalms, and immediately returned in very great fear to the other men who were waiting for them to bring policemen so that they could go, as stated above. They did not tell them that they themselves had gone to the Cave of Machpelah; they told them only that policemen would not be provided until another time, after they had given advance notice as above. They all went together, dejected, to the Arab automobiles and traveled back with them, again in great fear. Yet they consoled themselves that they would continue exerting themselves in this matter until they merited coming once more, approaching the site, and praying there.