Ohel (Hebrew:אוהל; plural:ohelim, literally, "tent")[1][2] is a structure built around a Jewish grave as a sign of prominence of the deceased.Ohelim cover the graves of some (but not all)HasidicRebbes, important rabbis,tzadikim, prominent Jewish community leaders, and biblical figures. Typically a smallmasonry building, anohel may include room for visitors to pray, meditate, and light candles in honor of the deceased.
According to Krajewska, the tradition of covering a grave with anohel may be based on theCave of the Patriarchs, in whichAbraham buriedSarah.[2] Nolan Menachemson suggests that the Hasidic tradition of covering the graves of Rebbes with anohel derives from theOhel Moed ("Tent of Meeting") in whichMoses communicated with God during theIsraelites' travels in the desert.[3]
Ohelim are usually simplemasonry structures. They may include one or two windows.[2] In prewar Poland, theohel of a Rebbe was located close by theHasidic court, and was big enough to accommodate aminyan of ten men beside the grave.[4]
In the case of a Hasidic Rebbe, theohel is a place for visitors to pray, meditate, writekvitelekh (petitionary prayer notes) and light candles in honor of the deceased.[6][7][8]Ohelim of Hasidic Rebbes, as well as the tombs oftzadikim venerated by Moroccan Jews, serve as year-round pilgrimage sites, with the biggest influx of visitors coming on the rebbe or tzadik'syom hillula (anniversary of death).[9][10]
