Levitical Choir Sings New, Ancient Psalms in Preparation for Rebuilt Temple

JERUSALEM, Israel – A unique Jewish choir sang psalms in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter during Passover to draw people closer to God.

The choir, singing in Jerusalem's Old City, is looking forward to the day when the Jewish Temple will be rebuilt.

The Levitical choir is part of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem, which focuses on establishing the Third Temple. All the choir members are from the tribe Levi, the priestly tribe.

The lyrics are from the time of the Temple, and the melodies are a mixture of new and ancient music, according to choir director Itzik Weiss

The choir began about a year ago. Thirty or so members make up the group and Weiss told CBN News most of the music is from Psalms.

"The purpose is to establish a choir that will finally sing all the songs that were (sung) in the Beit Mikdash, in the Temple," Weiss said, and added, "We are looking toward the future."

Weiss told us they are composing new songs, as it says in Psalm 96: "Sing a new song to the Lord."

Weiss admits many people are uncomfortable these days with the idea of animal sacrifice – the kind that was commanded in Bible times. He contends that music is different.

"Singing and music is something everyone can communicate," he explained. "Our thought was that this is something that everyone agrees (on), that music does good to people and (makes) them to connect spiritually."

Even during this time of war, the goal is the same.

"We're trying to make people feel good.," Weiss asserted. "That's the only thing we want."