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Beit HaMikdash

A Levi preparing to sing

You are a Levite singer, standing on the platform for the first time.Reconstruction educational simulation: A choice this site made to draw or model something the sources do not fully specify. About 6 minutes
Reconstruction: fifteen curved steps rise to the Nicanor gate with its open copper doors; barefoot Levites in white linen hold lyres; beyond, the Sanctuary's square front with its doorless opening and stacked oak lintels.

  1. Scene 1 of 6 · The Fifteen Steps

    The instruments

    Under the Court of Israel are chambers where the Levites keep their lyres, harps and cymbals. You collect your lyre.

  2. Scene 2 of 6 · The Court of the Priests

    Twelve at least

    Never fewer than twelve Levites stand on the platform; there is no upper limit. Levite boys stand below to sweeten the sound with their voices.

  3. Scene 3 of 6

    Today's psalm

    Each day has its psalm. Today, the third day, it is Psalm 82: 'God standeth in the congregation of God'.

  4. Scene 4 of 6 · The Great Altar

    The signal

    As the wine is poured, the deputy waves the flags, the cymbal sounds, and you begin.

  5. Scene 5 of 6 · The Azarah (inner courtyard)

    Pause and bow

    At each pause the trumpets blow and the whole people in the court bows down.

  6. Scene 6 of 6

    What we do not know

    The words of the psalms are known. How they were sung is not. The site's Temple Sound page is a contemporary interpretation and says so.

    Narrative detail, not a sourced claim.