Defense Minister Katz Participates in Priestly Blessing at Western Wall

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz participated in the traditional Priestly Blessing ceremony at the Western Wall plaza on Monday morning, coinciding with the intermediate days of the Sukkot holiday. He was joined by the Chief Rabbis of Israel, the Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, and the Mayor of Jerusalem.

During the ceremony, Minister Katz recited a special "Mi Sheberach" prayer for the safety and well-being of IDF soldiers, security forces, and all citizens of Israel. He expressed his emotion at standing at the Western Wall, a remnant of the Holy Temple, to bless the people of Israel as a Kohen (priest).

This year's Priestly Blessing, the first of Sukkot's intermediate days, saw the participation of hundreds of thousands of worshippers, including survivors of captivity and bereaved families. The event included morning and additional prayers, with the Priestly Blessings taking place at specific times throughout the morning.

Preparations for the holiday at the Western Wall plaza included the erection of three large sukkot (temporary tabernacles) for the comfort of worshippers, offering facilities for the ritual of the Four Species and the mitzvah of dwelling in a sukkah. The Rabbi of the Western Wall also issued a ruling regarding the kosher status of a sukkah located on a balcony.

Additionally, a large sukkah, reportedly the world's largest according to the "Chazon Ish" method, was constructed in the Jewish Quarter's Hurva Synagogue plaza, covering 444 square meters with new roofing material. This sukkah was built under the direction of Rabbi Eliyahu Zilberman.