Thousands Attend Traditional Priestly Blessing at Western Wall in Jerusalem
Thousands gathered at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Tuesday for the traditional Priestly Blessing, with Defense Minister Israel Katz reciting the prayer for IDF soldiers.
Thousands of worshippers gathered on Tuesday at the Western Wall in Jerusalem for the traditional Priestly Blessing, held initially in the morning and later during the Mussaf prayer. This year, authorities decided to split the blessing into two dates, with the additional ceremony scheduled for Thursday morning.
The blessing events were attended by Israel's Chief Rabbis, including Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber, who led the prayer for the recovery of the sick and wounded of the people of Israel. The Western Wall and Holy Sites Rabbi, the Mayor of Jerusalem, and other public figures also participated. Defense Minister Israel Katz recited the prayer for the safety of IDF soldiers.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation invited captivity survivors to take part in the event. Bar Kuperstein, who was released from Hamas captivity in Gaza about a year ago, was among those who attended. Mordechai "Moti" Wieder, whose son St.-Sgt. Eliyahu Itan Wieder fell in combat in southern Lebanon, recited the Kaddish prayer in memory of his son.
Until Friday, all routes leading to the Western Wall and the Old Church area will be closed to traffic, including Sultan Suleiman Street, Rockefeller Junction, Gethsemane Junction, Derekh HaKollel, and Ma'ale HaShalom. Access will be permitted via public transport and for local residents only. Depending on traffic congestion, Yitzhak Kariv Street and Hativat Yerushalayim Street will also be intermittently closed.
Throughout the intermediate days of the holiday, public transportation to the Western Wall will operate around the clock. Residents of the Jewish Quarter will be able to access their homes via Jaffa Gate or Zion Gate, in accordance with traffic arrangements.
