Thousands of men and women encircle the old Temple gates every month on the evening prior to the new month and recite Psalms. From the time of the capture of the Old City of Jerusalem by the Jordanian army during the war of Independence, until the holy city’s liberation by the IDF in 1967, Jews were forbidden even from entering the Old City.
The celebration is not only in honor of the new month but is also an expression of hope for the rebuilding of the Temple on the Temple Mount.