Tens of Thousands Gather at Western Wall for Final Selichot Prayers Before Yom Kippur
Tens of thousands of worshippers converged on the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Saturday night for the final Selichot (penitential prayers) service ahead of the Yom Kippur fast. The massive gathering marked the peak of the Selichot period, which occurs between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the ceremony at the Western Wall. Among the attendees were numerous former hostages, including Elkanah Bohbot and Ohad Ben Ami, who were held captive.
The prayers were led by cantors and liturgical poets reciting piyyutim (liturgical poems) and the "Thirteen Attributes of Mercy," a passage recited to express God's forgiveness, referencing Moses' plea for the Israelites after the sin of the Golden Calf.
The Chief Rabbi of the Western Wall led prayers for the safety of IDF soldiers and the security of Israel. This event was the largest of nearly 20 mass Selichot events held at the Western Wall recently, which also saw participation from President Isaac Herzog and other public figures.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
