Forty thousand people took part in the second Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) ceremony at the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem.
The ceremony is traditionally held during the intermediate days of the Sukkot holiday (the Feast of Tabernacles), as well as on the intermediate days of Passover.
Sunday's event was attended by Israel’s Chief Rabbis; Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites; Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion; Hamas captivity survivors; and families of current hostages.
In the hope that this would be the final time, after two years of prayers for the return of all the hostages at the Western Wall, Rabbi Rabinowitz offered a special prayer for their return - for the living to be reunited with their families, and for the dead to be brought to burial in Israel. Tens of thousands joined together, moved and emotional, in a special prayer of thanksgiving for the anticipated release of the hostages within the coming day.
Before the ceremony began, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz delivered words of encouragement to the large crowd, calling on the public not to relent and to continue praying for the full return of the hostages, for the safety of IDF soldiers, and for the recovery of the wounded.
Alongside the holiday prayers, special psalms of praise and thanksgiving were recited in anticipation of the hostages’ expected release.
Shacharit (the morning prayer) began at 8:45 a.m., and its Priestly Blessing took place at 9:30 a.m. The Musaf prayer began at 10:15 a.m., and its Priestly Blessing ceremony at 10:30 a.m.
At 10:40 a.m. the crowd recited a special prayer for the return of the hostages, the safety of IDF soldiers and security forces, the healing of the wounded, and peace and security for Israel.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation expressed great satisfaction with the holiday, noting that more than half a million worshippers and visitors have already come to the Western Wall Plaza since the start of the festival to fulfill the mitzvah of "aliyah laregel" (pilgrimage). Among them were rabbis, public figures, many tourists from abroad, and multitudes from across Israel and the world who chose to celebrate Sukkot in the holy city of Jerusalem. The highlight was the two traditional Birkat Kohanim ceremonies, when tens of thousands came to bless and be blessed with Aaron’s blessing - the Priestly Blessing - together with survivors of captivity and the families of the hostages.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation added: “We conclude the festival with deep appreciation to the Israel Police and security forces who worked tirelessly, day and night, to protect the citizens of Israel and the visitors to the Western Wall. As in the days of the ancient pilgrimage, many from Israel and around the world chose to visit the Western Wall Tunnels, which were filled to capacity throughout the holiday.”
As per tradition - Hakafot Shniyot (Second Hakafot) celebration at the Western Wall Plaza on Tuesday night, starting at 10:00 p.m. It will be accompanied by singer Eli Cohen, Yoni Eliav’s orchestra, and the Narnana Choir.