Nearly One Million Pray at Western Wall During Elul Season
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Nearly one million people have visited the Western Wall for Selichot prayers during the month of Elul. A central ceremony on Thursday night drew over 50,000 attendees, with organizers broadcasting the event to accommodate overflow crowds.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Nearly one million people visited the Western Wall for Elul prayers.
- Over 50,000 attended a central Selichot ceremony Thursday night.
- Thousands joined prayers outside the plaza via live broadcast.
- Rabbis prayed for soldiers, the wounded, and national unity.
- A call was made for unity and mutual support before Rosh Hashanah.
Over 50,000 worshippers gathered at the Western Wall plaza on Thursday night for a central Selichot (penitential prayers) and annulment of vows ceremony, ahead of Rosh Hashanah. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation reported that this brings the total number of visitors to Selichot events since the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul to nearly one million.
The ceremony was attended by the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Yosef. Due to the exceptionally large crowd, thousands were unable to enter the plaza and joined the prayers from the area near the Old City entrances. The event was broadcast live on large screens at the Jaffa Gate walls for those unable to attend in person, a joint initiative by the Jerusalem Municipality, the City of David Development Authority, and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion led the prayers. Rabbis present offered prayers for the safety of IDF soldiers and security forces, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the peace and unity of Israel. Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, Shmuel Rabinowitz, urged attendees in his speech to set aside disputes, increase mutual support, and enter the new year with unity and unconditional love.
The next major Selichot ceremony at the Western Wall will take place during the Ten Days of Repentance on Monday, Tishrei 3 (September 14), starting at 12:15 AM.
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