The singing of the Levites on the Temple Mount remains a cherished memory from the days of the Jewish Temple. This profound and heartwarming experience has been revived by the Society for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter, which organized a special event to recreate this ancient spectacle. In a remarkable gathering, 800 Levites congregated in the Southern Wall compound adjacent to the Western Wall for a collective rendition of the Psalms traditionally sung during Sukkot in the Temple.
The Levites, numbering in the hundreds, meticulously organized themselves into various groups based on their vocal ranges. They positioned themselves on the historic Huldah steps, once the entrance to the Temple Mount during the Temple's existence. These steps can be found in the Jerusalem Archaeological Garden, nestled at the base of the Temple Mount within the Southern Wall complex.
'והשב... לווים לשירם ולזמרם'
— עידו טאובר (@Idotauber) October 2, 2023
הנה זה קורה למרגלות הר הבית.
800 לוויים מתכוננים לשירה שתשוב בקרוב!
צילום: דור פזואלו pic.twitter.com/RfTC5l0x0i
Under the skilled musical direction of Itzik Weiss, former head of the 'Mizmor' school, and guidance from Yotam Segal, the event was divided into two parts. Initially, the Levites honed their singing abilities and perfected their vocal harmonies under the tutelage of musical instructors. Once they completed their training, they came together to perform the sacred songs, accompanied by the gifted singer Yonatan Raziel.
This meaningful event, now in its second year, is a collaborative effort between the Society for the Development of the Jewish Quarter, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Israel Tradition, and the East Jerusalem Development Company. The Jerusalem Municipality also provided valuable support.
Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Herzl Ben Ari, CEO of the Society for the Development of the Jewish Quarter, expressed, "We had the privilege of renewing the singing of the Levites in an exciting ceremony near the site of the temple. The ceremony opened the gates of the heart and reminded us of our longing for the days of old, which we fervently hope to see again. This is a momentous event that has rarely been equaled since the destruction of the Temple."
Bénédiction Des Cohanim (Prêtres) - Birkat Cohahim (ברכת כהנים)#Souccot Au Mur Occidental Le Kotel À #Jérusalem Capitale d'#Israël 🇮🇱 [02/10/23] ️ pic.twitter.com/7TjqOn9V9M
— Israël Info En Français (@IsraelInfoEnFr) October 2, 2023
In addition to this rekindling of an ancient ritual, tens of thousands of worshipers gathered at the Western Wall plaza as is customary every year to receive the traditional blessings of the priests during Sukkot.
These blessings were conducted in the presence of the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef and Rabbi David Lau, alongside Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Places, and the Mayor of Jerusalem, Mr. Moshe Leon. It was a testament to the enduring spiritual and cultural significance of this sacred site in the heart of Jerusalem.
