150,000 Pray at Western Wall in Final Selichot Service

Approximately 150,000 people attended the final and central Selichot (penitential prayers) service at the Western Wall on Saturday night, marking the culmination of the traditional services held throughout the month of Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance leading up to Yom Kippur. Over the entire period, nearly two million worshippers visited the Western Wall plaza for these services.

The significant increase in attendance this year was noted. The service, which began in the early evening, reached its peak with a large gathering in the plaza, on balconies, and in the surrounding alleys of the Old City. Among the attendees were survivors of the Nova music festival massacre and the Supernova rave, including Lia Cohen, Ziv Avod, Rom Barslavsky, Elkana Bohbot, and Ohad Ben Ami, who were met with great emotion and appreciation from the crowd.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, alongside Israel's Chief Rabbis David Yosef and Kalman Meir Bar, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites Shmuel Rabinowitz, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, ministers, public figures, and a large crowd, were present. Prime Minister Netanyahu offered a prayer for the safety of IDF soldiers, security forces, and the state, while the Chief Rabbis led prayers for the peace and unity of Israel.

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz stated that the Western Wall is the "beating heart of the Jewish people," with people from all walks of life gathering together. He added that the Selichot services provide hope for the new year, praying for healing, comfort, victory, blessing, and unity.

Due to the massive turnout, the service was broadcast live on large screens in the Old City and in Zion Square to accommodate the overflow crowd. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation reported satisfaction with the month's events, highlighting the unity of diverse segments of Israeli society in prayer. Preparations are underway for Yom Kippur services at the Western Wall, with thousands expected to attend, particularly for the concluding Neilah prayer and Shofar blast.