Thousands Gather at Western Wall for Priestly Blessing

Thousands of Israelis converged on Jerusalem on September 28 for the Priestly Blessing ceremony at the Western Wall plaza, a twice-yearly event held during the intermediate days of Sukkot and Passover. Kohanim, descendants of the priestly tribe of Levi, bestowed the blessing during the Shaharit and Musaf prayer services. The ceremony was attended by Israel's chief rabbis. Among the attendees were hostages released from captivity, parents and family members of abducted Israelis, and wounded IDF soldiers. Following the traditional prayers, a special prayer was recited for the safety and health of soldiers and security personnel, for the recovery of the wounded, and for peace for all of Israel. This tradition, revived over 50 years ago during the War of Attrition, has ancient roots dating back to the daily blessings recited by kohanim in the Jerusalem Temple. During the Temple service, kohanim covered their heads with prayer shawls, or tallitot, to prevent onlookers from gazing at them. The kohanim recited the threefold Aaronic Blessing from the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar), which includes the phrases "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."