Special prayers will be said at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Western Wall (Kotel) for the safety and security of Israel and the undivided city of Jerusalem. The Olmert administration is pushing a plan to cede parts of the capital to the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Following prayers and the afternoon service (mincha), the monthly march around the ancient gates to the Temple Mount will take place. The tour, accompanied by prayers, is held on or near the evening before the new month. Adar Aleph, the first of two Adars in the current leap year, is observed this year from Tuesday night through Thursday evening.