| The Tomb of the
Patriarchs is located in Hebron, some twenty-two miles southwest
of Jerusalem. According to the Book of Genesis, Abraham
purchased a field containing the cave of the Machpelah,
his first plot of land, paying four hundred silver pieces
for this property. He wanted the cave as a tomb in which
to bury his deceased wife, Sarah (Gen. 23:4-20). According
to Jewish tradition the field also contained the graves
of Adam and Eve. At the heart of the cave, which is covered
by a massive structure mostly built by King Herod around
two thousand years ago, are two large stone monuments dating
from the ninth century. Tradition says the one on the right
is Abraham’s, while the one on the left marks Sarah’s
final resting place. Venerated today by Jews, Christians,
and Moslems alike, the Machpelah Cave is the burial place
of almost all the Old Testament patriarchs and matriarchs
- Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah.
The outer structure is extremely impressive and the intricacies
inside of the building make it an interesting place to film.
Hebron is also a politically charged city, which adds another
facet to filming at the Machpelah Cave.
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