I Was Privileged to See the Levites Singing on the Ancient Steps Leading to the Temple

It began as an immense experience from higher realms. A rare occurrence that happened only once in my life: Friday afternoon, about half a year ago. I was home alone, trying to prepare for *Shabbat*, and searching on YouTube for a song to fit the special atmosphere. By divine intervention, YouTube suggested I listen to voices and sounds I had never heard before.

From the first seconds, I suddenly heard myself sobbing, cries reserved for mourners yearning for something or someone lost. These were uncontrollable sobs, and I quickly understood why: it was the soul's yearning of 2,000 years bursting forth.

I didn’t know if the singing of the Levites in today's pre-Temple period existed at all. It was a documentation of a magnificent ceremony, with contemporary Levites standing excited on the steps of the Hulda Gates at the foot of the Temple Mount. The Levites sang accompanied by instruments and with sparks in their eyes. It was an awe-inspiring moment beyond the boundaries of natural excitement. The soul cried for 2,000 years of exile and longing to behold the pleasantness of Hashem and visit His temple. One thing I asked. But...

With Unexpected Surprises: Hundreds of Levites Singing in a Historic Ceremony

Nothing prepared me for the upliftment and tears of excitement when before my eyes, the Levites sang in a "live performance" last Monday.

Who thought I would find myself overnight at the peak of a historic event heralding the nearing redemption?

Who thought a blessed rain would begin to fall precisely when 800 Levites were standing ready on the ancient steps under the open sky?

Who thought that due to the rain, amplification would cease, the lights would go out, and the Levites would surprise and do what the people of Israel do when things "go awry"?

Who thought Yonatan Razel, who accompanied the performance, would leave the piano for a few moments and break into song and dance with his fellow Levites?

Who thought the event would be conducted so professionally after all?

Who thought I would have the chance to interview a dear person in Israel, excitedly recounting the idea he conceived: to revive the singing of the Levites in our days?

Who thought this dear person, Hertzel Ben Ari, CEO of the Company for the Rehabilitation and Development of the Jewish Quarter, is the father of one of the beloved and influential singers in Israel? (It’s not so related to the event, but I was surprised and happy to discover)

Talking Stones and Blocked Gates: The Mystery Magic of the Temple Area

All these surprises occurred in a chain during a formative event for the people of Israel: After 2,000 years, hundreds of Levites returned to the southern wall at the entrance to the blocked Hulda Gates and sang magnificently sacred psalms from the Book of Psalms, and I was privileged to cover the event for the Hidabroot website.

My daughter and I entered the archaeological garden of the southern and western walls, a magical area with many greetings from the splendid past of the people of Israel in the most sacred place in the world: ancient purification pools scattered everywhere, evidence of the Temple visitors who immersed before entering. The large crooked tiles (under the weight of the fallen wall stones) of the street next to the Temple tell me their story in silence, and time stood still. There were dozens of stones with human hearts, speaking stones, ancient findings, and blocked gates. What’s the story of the city with these blocked gates? So much magic and mystery in one place.

Excitement mounted as the musicians entered with their instruments, Levites dressed in the garments of sacred service were everywhere, and singing Levites entered the compound gates, arrayed in three groups around the area, and began rehearsals. Every voice was in place.

"Daddy, why are you crying? Because the Temple was there, and we cannot approach"

I recognized the man who initiated the revival of today's Levite singing. It was the man who spoke from last year’s video – Hertzel Ben Ari, CEO of the Company for the Rehabilitation and Development of the Jewish Quarter, an amiable and courteous person, who was very happy to be interviewed and excitedly and festively told about the vision that gained flesh and substance: "When I was a child of 4-5 years, I came for the first time to Jerusalem when it was still forbidden to reach the Western Wall. I came with my father, may he rest in peace, to Mount Zion, and from there we viewed toward the wall. Daddy cried. I asked him: 'Daddy, why are you crying?'. Daddy replied: 'Do you see? There was the Temple. For 2,000 years, we dreamed of coming here. Now we are here, and we cannot approach.'

After the Six-Day War, my father, may he rest in peace, was privileged to visit the Western Wall. His connection to the Temple and Jerusalem was so deep that even before buying a home to live in, he purchased two plots to be buried in on the Mount of Olives. One for my father and one for my mother, of blessed memory."

"My mission is to ensure that as many children as possible are connected to Jerusalem"

In his role as CEO of the Company for the Rehabilitation and Development of the Jewish Quarter, Ben Ari is engaged in the initiation, management, and promotion of numerous projects that help the diverse people of Israel reconnect with the Temple and Jerusalem. “We are entrusted here with many complexes that tell the rich history of the people of Israel for over 3,000 years, and our mission is to ensure that the children of Israel are connected to Jerusalem like their ancestors were. My mission is to ensure that as many children as possible experience and get connected to Jerusalem like I connected to it at the age of 4-5.”

The moment I longed for arrived. The Levites finished their musical rehearsals in groups and entered through two gates leading to the giant steps. They stood in an orderly manner in masses on the steps: fathers and sons, elders with children, young and grandfatherly excited individuals. Some were Sephardic, some Ashkenazi, there were Orthodox and national religious, and perhaps even traditional and "secular" with skullcaps, but in such a ceremony – it doesn’t matter at all: all in emotional brotherly unity. Just from seeing this majestic moment, one is awe-struck.

"The skies are excited": Sudden Blessing Rain at the Opening Moment

And behold, the moment the Levites were about to start the first psalm, blessing rain fell upon the earth. What do we do now? I thought to myself, trying to understand if it’s right to seek shelter from the rain.

"The skies are excited," said a woman standing next to me. Another blessed with a husband or son standing there and singing. Indeed, the timing of the rain was exciting and perfect, but still – what of the electricity? I wondered.

Quickly umbrellas appeared open, the Levites did not move from their place. The conductor remained standing on the elevated stage. One doesn’t abandon such a responsible role so quickly. The Levites continued singing, the electricity cut to prevent damage to the amplification and lighting from the rain. And towards evening, to illuminate the music sheets they held, they turned on their mobile phone flashlights. It was the most moving sight. How happy I was that my daughter was there with me, and I could share with her what I felt in those magical moments.

What to Do When It Suddenly Rains? Dance and Sing. In the Rain!

The stage crew ran back and forth to try to solve the issue of the rain, fearing the water would seep into the amplification and lighting equipment, and meanwhile, Yonatan Razel joined the Levites in front of him, who danced and sang with holiday joy "*Hatov hatov hatov, for your mercies are not consumed*". He danced in a circle with the Levite children, and it was so special and so typical of Jews choosing joy in every situation. It taught me a real lesson on happiness and the privilege of being Jews in our land despite heartache over the state of our people. It’s all birth pangs. It’s all messianic birth pangs.

From the mysterious window of the Al-Aqsa Mosque overlooking the steps, I saw a figure watching what was happening, and close to the time when spontaneous singing of the masses was heard on the steps, I saw Lior, the business development director of the Company for the Rehabilitation and Development of the Jewish Quarter, staring at the sky, calling over his walkie-talkie: "There are no clouds above us. There’s a time window!". The lights turned back on, amplification resumed, cameras activated, the piano played, and enthusiasm was at its peak. I felt that Hashem has beautiful ways to encourage us and speak to us through the forces of nature.

Yonatan Razel: "One Aspect of the Soul's Longing is for Levite Singing and Divine Revelation"

Then I asked Yonatan Razel how he felt during this unique ceremony and what he had to say about the soul's longing to behold Hashem's pleasantness and visit His temple. "One aspect of the longing is for the music of the Levites, a longing for divine revelation, and we don’t exactly know what that is," he replied. "There is a longing for pilgrimage. We experience it somewhat, and perhaps that also explains the emotional gathering of the people of Israel during the selichot prayers. Many asked me how I explain all the pilgrimage during the month of selichot, on Sukkot, on Pesach, and even on Shavuot. There’s something about this, that we ascend to this special place together.

"The music of the Levites, in a way, also grants this spiritual experience. We have no real idea what it was, but there is a longing to hear that sound, that pure sound of music that heals the soul, the body, and the spirit. I was moved to be with such a large group of Levites. All from the same tribe, and all loving music. It was moving to sing on the steps that 2,000 years ago were ascended to the Temple."

And I can only thank for the most uplifting experience I could dream of, materializing before my eyes and the eyes of the next generation. It’s the closest thing to one-sixtieth of the real thing. It softened the heartache somewhat, gave me much hope, and illuminated the soul with a special light reserved for those who were truly there, but in the meantime, you can see this light from the pictures and videos documenting the ceremony. I would conclude with "See you next year", but I hope we all merit today to hear the original Levite singing in the third Temple. Happy *Sukkot*!