Over 50,000 Worshippers Attend Central Selichot Service at Western Wall
Over 50,000 worshippers gathered at the Western Wall in Jerusalem for the central Selichot service ahead of Rosh Hashanah, joined by leaders and officials.
More than 50,000 people gathered Thursday night at the Western Wall plaza in Jerusalem for the central Selichot service ahead of Rosh Hashanah 5787. The event included traditional vows and curse nullification ceremonies, attended by the Chief Rabbi of Israel David Yosef, rabbis, ministers, and public figures.
Due to massive crowds, the service was broadcast live on giant screens displayed on the walls of the Old City and at Jaffa Gate, allowing thousands of worshippers who could not enter the plaza to join the prayers from the surrounding areas.
During the ceremony, rabbis offered prayers for the safety of IDF soldiers and security forces, the recovery of the wounded, and the security of the country. Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovich opened the gathering by calling for national unity and setting aside disputes. Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion led the prayer service.
According to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, nearly one million worshippers visited the plaza since the beginning of Elul, participating in Selichot services held throughout the month.
Earlier in the evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Western Wall to pray, accompanied by the foundation's director Mordechai Eliav. According to the foundation, Netanyahu recited a psalm and prayed for the country's success, the safety of soldiers, and a happy new year for all citizens of Israel.
The next central Selichot service at the Western Wall is scheduled for Monday, September 14, at 00:15.
