Thousands of people filled the Western Wall Plaza on Tuesday afternoon, facing the Temple Mount, to beseech God for compassion and deliverance from the evil machinations of those who are seeking to destroy Israel. The mass prayer gathering was a lead-up to Ta’anit Ester (Fast of Esther), which was first decreed by Ester 2500 years ago when the Jews living in the Persian Empire were in danger of extinction at the hands of the evil Haman.
As has become customary in recent years, the mass gathering was accompanied by trumpet blasts sounded by silver trumpets made by the Temple Institute for use in the Holy Temple.
In his code of law, the “Mishne Torah,” Maimonides states that it is a positive Torah commandment to cry out and sound the trumpets over every trouble that may come, as it says: “Against an enemy who oppresses you, you shall sound short blasts of the trumpets” (Numbers 10:9)
The Temple Institute is the center of research and preparation for the Holy Temple. In addition to educational activity focused on the centrality of the Temple Mount and Holy Temple, they have also recreated more than 60 sacred vessels for use in the Third Holy Temple, which can be seen at their Visitors Center in the Old City of Jerusalem.