Tens of Thousands Gather at Western Wall for Final Selichot Prayers Before Rosh Hashanah

Over 50,000 worshippers attended the central Selichot (penitential prayers) service at the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem on Thursday night, just hours before the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The plaza was filled with crowds from across Israel participating in one of the most significant and moving events of the High Holy Days period.

The service took place in a festive pre-holiday atmosphere, with tens of thousands of attendees reciting traditional Selichot poems and prayers in preparation for the new year. The area around the Western Wall was packed, marking another large-scale prayer event.

According to data provided, nearly one million people visited the Western Wall Plaza for various Selichot services from the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul until the eve of Rosh Hashanah. Throughout the past weeks, numerous prayer services were held, drawing groups, families, students, and individuals of all ages from across the country.

The Selichot season at the Western Wall has become a major focal point for Israelis and Jews worldwide over the years. Thousands arrive nightly to participate in prayers, recite Selichot, and spiritually prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Thursday night's central service marked the conclusion of the Elul Selichot events. The tens of thousands of participants offered prayers for the peace of the Jewish people, the security of the state, and good tidings for the coming year.