Thousands Attend Priestly Blessing Ceremony at Western Wall

The traditional Priestly Blessing ceremony is taking place at the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem, drawing tens of thousands of worshippers during the Sukkot holiday. Prayers are being offered for the safety of IDF soldiers and security forces, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the unity of the Israeli people.

The event, held on Monday, September 28, 2026, includes the participation of Israel's Chief Rabbis, the Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, and the Mayor of Jerusalem. Among those attending are former Hamas hostages marking the anniversary of their release from Gaza, bereaved families, and IDF soldiers wounded during the "Swords of Iron" war.

The morning prayer began at 8:45 AM, with the first Priestly Blessing at 9:15 AM. A second blessing is scheduled for 10:30 AM, following the Musaf prayer. A special prayer for the IDF and security forces, the wounded, and national unity and security will be recited at 10:45 AM.

This year, the Priestly Blessing is being held on two separate dates to accommodate a larger number of participants. The second ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the same times. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation has prepared for hundreds of thousands of visitors during Sukkot, setting up three large, kosher sukkahs.

The foundation noted that nearly two million worshippers visited the Western Wall during the month of Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance leading up to the High Holidays.