עזרא, פרק י׳, פסוק ט׳

The gathering of the men of Judah and Benjamin in Jerusalem takes place during the harsh peak of winter. The time of this assembly is the ninth month, which corresponds to the month of Kislev [רש"י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The masses come together in the open plaza of the House of God, which refers to the broad spaces situated on the Temple Mount [מצודת דוד]. Specifically, this gathering occurs in the area just in front of the House of God but outside the main Temple courtyard, because it is considered inappropriate to sit within the sacred courtyard itself [רלב"ג].

As they sit under the open sky, the people are gripped by a profound, visible trembling [מצודת ציון]. The commentators agree that this violent shivering stems from a combination of two distinct causes. First, they are overwhelmed by a deep spiritual dread and anxiety over the severe sin they have committed [רש"י, מצודת דוד]. Second, their physical reality is bleak; they are sitting outside without any shelter during cold, heavy rains, leaving them miserable and shaking from the intense downpour beating down on them [רש"י, אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ].