Thousands Gather for Sukkot Blessing with Rabbi Amar in Jerusalem

Thousands of Israelis, including prominent rabbis and public figures, gathered in Jerusalem's Beit Vagan neighborhood to participate in a "Hakabalat Pnei Rebbe" (welcoming the face of the Rebbe) event held in the sukkah of Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, the former Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel. The event, presided over by Rabbi Amar and his son Rabbi Eliyahu Amar, chief justice of the Rehovot rabbinical court, saw attendees from all communities seeking blessings for the holiday.

During the gathering, Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar delivered a central address, emphasizing the joy of Sukkot and its power to bring salvation. He urged the public to spiritually commit to increasing their Torah study for the sake of all Israel during this time.

Rabbi David Yosef, the current Sephardic Chief Rabbi, also spoke, praising Rabbi Amar's steadfast efforts to strengthen rabbinical and judicial authority in Israel. He noted challenges posed by the court system to rabbinical courts, expressing hope for continued empowerment of religious law under Rabbi Amar's leadership.

The event concluded with joyous dancing and singing by the attending rabbis and the public. For hours, individuals lined up to receive blessings and a date from Rabbi Amar, considered a segulah (a segulah is an object or action believed to have special spiritual power) and a blessing for the new year.