JERUSALEM — Tens of thousands of worshippers gathered at the Western Wall on Thursday, October 1, for the second traditional Birkat Kohanim, or Priestly Blessing, ceremony of Sukkot. The ceremony took place during the Shacharit and Musaf prayers during Chol HaMoed.
The Priestly Blessing comes from Numbers 6:24–26 and has become one of the largest public prayer gatherings held at the Western Wall during the biblical pilgrimage festivals. Hundreds of kohanim traditionally participate in the ceremony, blessing the assembled congregation.
During Thursday's gathering, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, joined the crowd in reciting Hallel and prayers of thanksgiving. Prayers were also offered for Israel's soldiers and security forces and for peace and unity among the Jewish people.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation reported that nearly one million worshippers and visitors had come to the Western Wall Plaza since the beginning of Sukkot. Visitors included Israelis, tourists from abroad, rabbis and public figures.
Two major Priestly Blessing ceremonies were scheduled during Sukkot this year, on September 28 and October 1. The mass Birkat Kohanim tradition at the Western Wall has been held for more than five decades.
For Whole Bible believers, the gathering provides a modern picture of thousands coming to Jerusalem during one of the appointed times described in Scripture. Sukkot is one of the three biblical pilgrimage festivals, while the blessing spoken by the kohanim comes directly from the Torah.
Reference:
thekotel/en/157667/
