World's largest sukkah opens in Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter

Tens of thousands of families are making their way through Jerusalem's Jewish Quarter this Chol HaMoed Sukkos, echoing the mitzvah of aliyah l'regel when the Beis HaMikdash stood. For those heading to the Kosel each day of Yom Tov, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Jewish Tradition, together with the Company for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter, has erected what it calls the world's largest sukkah built according to the Chazon Ish's halachic standards.

The sukkah stands in the plaza of the historic Churva Synagogue, covering 444 square meters, and is open to the public throughout Chol HaMoed. Inside are spacious seating areas, hot and cold drink stations, and a dedicated section designed for families with young children.

This year's sukkah was built with meticulous halachic attention according to the shitah of the Chazon Ish, with new, mehudar s'chach brought in specially for the purpose. The planning and construction were overseen by HaRav Eliyahu Zilberman, one of the rabbanim of the Jewish Quarter, who supervised every stage of the building from start to finish.

Alongside the giant sukkah, a new observation deck has opened to the public free of charge. Located on the roof of Yeshivas HaKosel, it offers views toward Har HaBayis and the site of the Beis HaMikdash. The spacious platform can accommodate hundreds of visitors at once, with no need to wait in line, as part of the custom of the shalosh regalim.

The observation deck is accessible by elevator, making it easy for anyone to reach, including people with disabilities and families with strollers.

The giant sukkah and observation deck are part of a broader initiative called "Mo'adim L'Mishpacha" (Festivals for the Family) run by the Ministry of Jerusalem and Jewish Tradition. The program includes a wide range of events and services: the historic Churva Synagogue is open to the public at no cost, guided tours of the Kohanim Quarter run every half hour, water stations and directional signs are posted throughout the Quarter for visitors' convenience, klezmer processions add to the Yom Tov atmosphere, and Simchas Beis HaSho'eivah events are held throughout Chol HaMoed, drawing large crowds.

Shimon Album, director-general of the Ministry of Jerusalem and Jewish Tradition, said: "This year we expanded the 'Mo'adim L'Mishpacha' initiative with unprecedented investment to provide comprehensive services for the tens of thousands visiting the Jewish Quarter in Yerushalayim during the regel, from making the observation point of Makom HaMikdash accessible to families with strollers, to refreshment areas, to the construction of a giant, mehudar sukkah. We invite the entire public to come up l'regel in comfort and in simchah."