Succot in Hebron comes to the people during Israel’s lockdown

Thousands watched the early morning Succot prayer service in
Hebron on the internet on Wednesday as part of a new effort to bring the spirit and
energy of the City of the Forefathers & Mothers to the public. Due to the COVID-19
pandemic, only a select few participated in person for Shacharit prayers at the Tomb of
Machpela, but the entire world was invited online.

It has become a modern tradition twice a year for the Chief Rabbi of Tzfat, Rabbi Shmuel
Eliyahu to lead special musical Hallel prayers on Passover and Sukkot at the Jewish holy
site.

 

The event usually attracts around 30,000 participants. However, as the coronavirus has
spread, events across the Jewish State have shut down and moved to Zoom and Facebook.
Thousands of viewers watch the Passover Hallel prayers six months ago, and an equal
amount tuned in this week for Succot.

Hallel is a special collection of Psalms and songs of praise recited on Jewish holidays.
In Hebron, the prayers are accompanied by live musicians for an uplifting spiritual
experience. Usually the service is held inside the Tomb of the Patriarchs &
Matriarchs complex, the 2,000-year-old complex built by King Herod the Great on top of
Biblical “Cave of Machpela.” It is here that the founding fathers and mothers of the
Jewish people are buried as described in the Torah. In strict accordance with the
Israeli Ministry of Health, services were held outside at the Rochelle Berkowitz Plaza
and worshippers wore masks and practiced socially distancing.

The Hebrew prayer service was coordinated by the Jewish Community in Hebron, the
Association of Rabbis of Communities in Israel and the Hebron Fund. Organizers included
Hebron City Council Head Hillel Horowitz, Kiryat Arba council head Eliyahu Liebman,
local religious council head Yossi Dayan, Jewish Community of Hebron director Uri
Karzan, special events coordinator of the Jewish Community of Hebron Ashi Horowitz,
management coordinator of Tomb of the Patriarch Elimelech Karzen,Si Kol sound and
production company, Yotzer Or video and photography and the office of Tfzat Chief Rabbi
Shmuel Eliyahu.

Rabbi Eliyahu led the service with and Rabbi Uriel Saied serving and hazzan, singing and
playing guitar. Other musicians included the talented David Shukron on keyboards, Ohad
Schwat on violin, Yedidya Klein on clarinet, Ron Hania on guitar, Elyashiv Spengenthal
on guitar, and Hagai Suleiman on percussion. They played a joyful and uplifting mix of
traditional Hebrew melodies, klezmer, Shlomo Carlebach tunes and Hasidic
niggunim.

In 2019, Hebron received over 1 million tourists, the most ever recorded, with the High
Holidays being peak time for visitors. This year was a more introspective and intimate
affair, with small outdoor gatherings in limited numbers. However the spirit of the City
of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs was broadcast via Facebook, YouTube, Zoom and other
social media. In September, over 16,000 people watched the post Rosh Hashanah selichot
services featuring Israel’s two Chief Rabbis.

This year, after Yom Kippur ended, the community was deeply saddened to learn that
Rabbinit Miriam Levinger had passed away. She and her husband Rabbi Moshe Levinger were
pioneers in rebuilding the Jewish community. She was considered modern day matriarch. As
a testimony to how far the community has come due to her efforts, Mrs. Levinger was
mourned by numerous Members of Knesset, and elected officials including the President of
the State of Israel, Reuven Rivlin.

Part of the Wednesday morning Sukkot service included a prayer for all those suffering
from coronavirus, and for all medical personnel and researchers working to eradicate the
deadly virus.

 

 

* Hebron stands strong
during Holidays despite pandemic

* In Memorium:
Rabbanit Miriam Levinger

*Hebron Fund offers free
calendar for New Year

 

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Goes Mainstream

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Festival in Hebron, Leaders from Abroad Visit

* Succot Festival
Hebron 2016 with Mordechai Ben David & more

* Thousands attend
Succot festival in Hebron including host Ben Shapiro

* 30,000 Visit Hebron
for 2015 Succot Festival featuring Lipa Schmeltzer

* 40,000 Visit Hebron
for Succot including top Knesset Members

 

HEBRON CONTACT INFORMATION