80,000 Join First Birchas Kohanim of Sukkos at the Kotel
Some 80,000 people gathered at the Kosel on Monday morning for the first Birchas Kohanim of Sukkos, joined by a former hostage, bereaved families, Israel’s Chief Rabbis, government ministers and public officials.
by COLlive Editor · COLliveTens of thousands gathered Monday morning at the Kosel in Yerushalayim for the first Birchas Kohanim ceremony of Chol Hamoed Sukkos, joining the Shacharis and Mussaf prayers at the Western Wall Plaza.
Approximately 80,000 people participated in the gathering, while an estimated quarter-million visitors have already come to the Kosel during the Sukkos holiday.
The traditional Birchas Kohanim gathering has been held for 56 years, originating with Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gefner, obm. Organized by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation during Chol Hamoed Pesach and Sukkos, the event brings hundreds of Kohanim together to bless the assembled crowd.
Participating in the gathering were Israel’s Chief Rabbis, Rishon LeZion Rabbi David Yosef and Rabbi Kalman Bar; Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Kosel and Holy Sites; Defense Minister Israel Katz; National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir; Negev, Galilee and National Resilience Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf; Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion; Israel Police Commissioner Daniel Levy; Jerusalem District Police Commander Avshalom Peled; former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman; Western Wall Heritage Foundation Director Mordechai “Soli” Eliav; Religious Services Ministry Director General Yehuda Avidan; former hostage Bar Kuperstein; and Motti Weider, father of Staff Sgt. Elishiv Eitan Weider, hy”d.
Rabbi Rabinowitz led the prayers as shliach tzibbur. During Birchas Kohanim, Defense Minister Katz, who is a Kohen, joined the Kohanim in blessing the congregation and offered a prayer for the safety and success of IDF soldiers and Israel’s security forces.
Following the prayers, a traditional “Hakhelas Pnei Rabo B’regel” gathering was held with the Chief Rabbis and Rabbi Rabinowitz, with thousands passing by to receive their blessings for the Yom Tov.
Emotional moments took place during the gathering as former hostage Bar Kuperstein joined the tens of thousands in prayers of thanksgiving marking one year since the return of all the hostages.
Motti Weider recited Kaddish in memory of his son, Staff Sgt. Elishiv Eitan Weider, hy”d, who fell in battle in southern Lebanon on Erev Sukkos two years ago.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation announced that a second Birchas Kohanim gathering will take place on Thursday, 20 Tishrei 5787, October 1, in the same format, giving those unable to attend Monday’s gathering another opportunity to participate. The event will be broadcast on the Foundation’s website beginning at 8:45 a.m.
The Foundation asked visitors throughout Sukkos to follow the instructions of Israel Police and event staff, who will regulate the flow of visitors to the Kosel.
“The gathering was dedicated to heartfelt prayers for the safety of IDF soldiers, the recovery of the wounded, and the peace and unity of Israel,” the Western Wall Heritage Foundation said. “The Foundation prepared in advance for the tens of thousands of visitors and worshippers arriving during Sukkos to commemorate the pilgrimage to Yerushalayim, and we invite the public to participate in the second gathering this coming Thursday.”
The Foundation also apologized to hundreds of visitors seeking tickets for tours of the Western Wall Tunnels during Chol Hamoed Sukkos, noting that tickets had sold out in advance. A limited number of spaces remain for the new “Gateway to Heaven” experience, which recently opened to visitors at the Kosel.
Photo Credit: Western Wall Heritage Foundation
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