Over 50,000 Attend Central Selichot Service at Western Wall
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Over 50,000 people attended a central Selichot service at Jerusalem's Western Wall on the eve of Rosh Hashanah. The event included prayers for soldiers and national unity, with Prime Minister Netanyahu also visiting earlier.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Over 50,000 people attended the main Selichot service at the Western Wall.
- The service took place on the eve of Rosh Hashanah in Jerusalem.
- Prayers were offered for IDF soldiers and Israel's security.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu visited the Western Wall earlier for prayers.
- Nearly one million worshippers visited the site during Elul.
- Another major service is scheduled for September 14.
More than 50,000 people gathered at the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem on Thursday night, the eve of Rosh Hashanah, for the central Selichot (penitential prayers) service. The event, which also included the annulment of vows and curses, was attended by the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, David Yosef, along with other rabbis, ministers, and public figures. Due to the large crowd, the service was broadcast live on giant screens in the Old City walls and at Jaffa Gate, allowing thousands who could not enter the plaza to join the prayers from nearby areas.
During the service, prayers were offered for the safety of IDF soldiers and security forces, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the peace and security of Israel. Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, Shmuel Rabinowitz, addressed the attendees, calling for national unity and setting aside disputes. Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion led the prayers.
According to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, nearly one million worshippers have visited the Western Wall since the beginning of Elul (the Hebrew month preceding Rosh Hashanah), participating in Selichot services held throughout the month. Earlier that evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Western Wall for prayers with the CEO of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mordechai (Solly) Eliyav. Netanyahu recited a chapter of Psalms and prayed for the success of the state, the soldiers, and a good year for all Israeli citizens.
The next major Selichot service at the Western Wall is scheduled for Monday, September 14, at 12:15 AM, with tens of thousands of worshippers expected to attend.
Mentioned
