As the Eurovision Song Contest approaches, we bring you "Hallelujah", the Israeli song that took first place at the 1979 Eurovision, held in Jerusalem. The song was written by lyricist Shimrit Or and composer Kobi Oshrat for the 1978 local song festival, where it was supposed to be performed by the band Hakol Over Habibi. The song was not accepted to the 1978 festival and it was not until the following year's festival that a band named Halav UDvash, formed specifically for the occasion, finally performed it.  Later the song represented Israeli at the Eurovision in Jerusalem, and took first place. This was the second Israeli song to take this honor, after Abanibi had done so in 1978. The Hebrew word "hallelujah" has made its way into many languages and become an international symbol, perhaps explaining the song's success both in Israel and abroad.