In addition to the 20,000 worshipers who gathered at Me’arat Hamchpela (Cave of the Patriarchs) in the Old City of Hebron Monday, another 10,000 gathered there Tuesday morning to pray, dance, and sing with their lulavim as they marked 60 years of the revival of the Jewish presence in the city.

Chief Rabbi of Safed Shmuel Eliyahu led shacharit, the morning service, at the compound outside, which was also attended by Chief Rabbi of Hebron Rabbi Yitzhak Schwartz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu.

The Jewish Community of Hebron posted video footage of the event, writing that it was “likely the closest experience to the joy of the pilgrimage to the Temple.”

After the War of Independence in 1948, Jordan captured Judea and Samaria, and Jews were barred from visiting the holy site. After the 1967 war, Israel took over the territory, giving Jews access to the city again. The burial ground is holy to both Jews and Muslims, with separate areas of prayer for people of both faiths.