And now we approach Shavuos, Kabbalas HaTorah, yahrzeit of King David. My son-in-law and daughter started a new tradition a few years ago: they and hundreds of other young couples come to camp out on Mount Zion, the traditional burial place of David Hamelech, king of Israel and singer of Psalms. Everyone shares and helps, and there is singing all night and learning all night. Then, before daybreak, it’s off to a ritual bath down below in the City of David, in what is known as the High Priest’s mikveh, followed by the climb back up to David’s tomb to pray with the sunrise.
At the same time about 100,000 Jews flock to the Kotel, all of them shouting, “We do love You with all our hearts, souls and our entire essence. We rededicate ourselves to another year of Torah observance. We love You for not seeing any evil or transgression in Your nation, and we remain Your charming lawfully wedded nation.”
Chag Sameach.