Thousands Dance at Western Wall Plaza in Moving Post-Yom Kippur Celebration
Thousands of worshippers remained at the Western Wall plaza after Yom Kippur ended, joining in massive dance circles and singing together in a deeply moving post-fast celebration.
As Yom Kippur ended on Monday evening following a day of fasting and prayer, thousands of worshippers remained at the Western Wall plaza after the final shofar blast. Instead of hurrying home to break the fast, crowds joined in massive dancing circles and sang together "And I will bring them to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer." Approximately 25,000 people visited the Western Wall throughout Yom Kippur, marking one of the most moving moments of the holy day.
For hours, the Western Wall plaza was filled with worshippers who came to spend Yom Kippur at the holy site. Prayer followed prayer from the start of the fast until the concluding Ne'ila service, as thousands stood before the ancient stones with their personal petitions and thoughts.
Then came the shofar blast signaling the end of Yom Kippur. After long hours without food and drink, one might have expected the crowds to disperse quickly. Instead, thousands chose to remain.
Within a short time, the relative silence transformed into joyous singing. Worshippers linked arms, forming dance circles across the plaza, bringing the verse from Isaiah to life. The singing grew louder as thousands danced together before the wall, releasing the spiritual tension of introspection and repentance into unbridled joy.
