By COLlive reporter
An estimated crowd of 60,000 people visited the Tomb of Samuel, burial site of the biblical Shmuel Hanavi in the Israeli area of Giv’at Ze’ev in Jerusalem.
Shmuel (931-877 BCE) was the son of Chana and Elkanah and was a nazirite from birth. He was a disciple of Eli, the last of the Judges. During his life, he traveled throughout Israel to teach and judge the people and was the one who anointed Shaul and David, the first two Israelite monarchs.
His yartzeit is marked on the 28th of Iyar and has become a major gathering of davening for Jews from around Israel and throughout the year.
Because of the sensitive location of the kever near Arab villages, Israel’s security forces were on high alert to protect the many visitors.
“This is a massive event that has been growing from year to year,” said Oded Plus, Director of the Ministry of Religious Services. “Weeks of advanced preparation was needed to allow for a safe and comfortable visitation.”
VIDEO: Rabbi Mordechai Weiss tours the tomb of Samuel the Prophet
VIDEO: Who was Shmuel Hanavi by Mendel Dubov
I actualy went on chol hamoed and organized a torah reading.