Hakhel Year

It was the only event that required the attendance of every Jew -- men, women, and children -- reminiscent of the historic moment when our nation stood at Mount Sinai, when every member of our nation was present when G‑d lovingly gave us the Torah.

Since Hakhel—the septennial event requiring the entire Jewish nation to attend— has not occurred since Temple times, the exact particulars have become murky. In this article we will reconstruct the fine details as depicted in the vast canon of rabbinic li...

Every seven years, on the holiday of Sukkot, every single Jew would gather in Jerusalem and listen to the king read from the Torah. Why was this so special and how is it relevant today?

In Temple times the king would read from the Torah before the entire nation in the year of Hakhel. Why is this specifically the role of the king? This class explains the unique function of a Jewish king.

A group of actors bring the unity of the Hakhel year to life on the streets of Israel.

The year of Hakhel is marked with gatherings to strengthen our Judaism, our connection to G-d and to each other—similar to the mitzvah in Temple times when the king would read from the Torah to inspire all of Israel. Discover Hakhel’s relevance and empowe...

Watch what people are saying about joining together for Jewish unity in the year of Hakhel, and discover how you can be a part of it.

Today – as in Temple times – men, women, and children unite together at the same place, the same time, and with the same purpose of strengthening our commitment to Torah.

Anyone can make a Hakhel gathering. Here are tips, guidelines, and ideas to help you make yours memorable, educational, and inspiring.

The year following the Shemittah year is marked as Hakhel, where all Jews would gather together at the Holy Temple to hear the king read from the Torah, in essence reliving the Sinai experience. Discover the deeper meaning of Hakhel and its powerful relev...