The Temple Institute: The 5769 Hakhel Ceremony in Gan Tekuma

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15TH, THE FIRST DAY OF CHOL HAMOED, (1st day of the intermediate days of Sukkot), the designated day for the biblically commanded Hakhel ceremony, was a very busy day for both the nation of Israel and the Temple Institute.

WHILE CONDUCTING AN ON-THE-TEMPLE MOUNT HAKHEL CEREMONY for the first time in 2000 years, the Temple Institute's entire staff was also busy with last minute preparations for a second Hakhel gathering, this one in the Gan Tekuma park adjacent to the Jewish Quarter inside of Jerusalem's old city walls. This Hakhel ceremony included, along with the appropriate Hakhel readings from Deuteronomy, a presentation of many of the Institute's accomplishments from the past (5768) year. Included were newly fashioned silver trumpets, the golden crown - tzitz - of the high priest, the first time wearing of bigdei kehuna - priestly garments for the lay priests, by five distinguished kohanim - priests, and the official unveiling of the just completed Kiyor Nechoshet - Brass Laver for the sanctification of the hands and feet of the priests before they begin their daily service in the Holy Temple.

THE TWO TON KIYOR had been transported by truck prior to the first day of Sukkot from the northern Israeli city of Akko, where it was manufactured by the Buchbut Metalworks Factory. It spent the night in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Choma. Following the conclusion of the first day of Sukkot the Kiyor was then delivered to the Temple Institute. Arriving in the old city at two in the morning, it was lowered by crane into Gan Tekuma, where it was guarded throughout the night by a number of dedicated volunteers.

MEANWHILE, THE SOUND AND LIGHTING SYSTEMS and the main stage for the ceremony were being put in place. The ceremony was scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM, but already hours before curious onlookers, intrigued by the massive Kiyor, now covered by a blue tarp, began to gather round.

BY THE TIME THE HAKHEL CEREMONY BEGAN, thousands of spectators had already gathered, spilling out of Gan Tekuma into the adjacent open areas. The road above Gan Tekuma filled with people making vehicular traffic impossible. The old city wall which ran high above behind the stage likewise filled with onlookers. A very moving evening ensued. Each of the five kohanim, (Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Avi Kahane, Menachem Cohen, Ariel Reigel and Micha Katz), took turns reading Hakhel verses from a Torah scroll, after which they stood and sounded the silver trumpets. The golden tzitz was placed upon the head of one of the priests. A description of the details of the priestly garments followed, and as a grand finale the Kiyor was unveiled. The enthusiastic assembly crowded around the Kiyor. Children touched and explored the Brass Laver, while parents described to them how the laver works and how the priests much sanctify their hands and feet each day. The Hakhel ceremony had officially concluded, but for well over an hour people thronged around the Kiyor, savoring, as it were, the magic of the moment, beholding the unfolding of history, the march of destiny.