Tens of Thousands Attend Penitential Prayers at Western Wall

Over 50,000 people participated in the central penitential prayers, Selichot, at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Thursday night. Due to unprecedented crowds, the event was broadcast on large screens erected on the Old City walls and at Jaffa Gate, allowing thousands who could not enter the plaza to join the prayers. The event was organized by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation and included prayers for the safety of IDF soldiers and security forces, as well as for the unity and security of Israel, led by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites. Since the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul, more than half a million worshippers have attended Selichot services at the Western Wall plaza. The next major Selichot service is scheduled for Saturday night at 12:15 AM. The broadcast expansion was facilitated by the Jerusalem Municipality, the Jerusalem Development Authority, and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, with efforts by Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion.