Thousands Pray at Western Wall in Thanksgiving for Dubai Flight Rescue

Tens of thousands of worshippers gathered at the Western Wall on Thursday for the second priestly blessing ceremony of Sukkot, which transformed into a mass prayer of thanksgiving. Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, led the crowd in reciting Psalms of praise following the rescue of passengers on a flight from Dubai to Israel the previous day. During the ceremony, Rabbi Rabinowitz urged the public to express greater gratitude, while also continuing prayers for the safety of IDF soldiers, security forces, and national unity.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation reported that nearly one million visitors have passed through the plaza since the start of the holiday, including former hostages and bereaved families who came to receive blessings. In light of recent events, it was decided that the traditional "Hakafot Shniyot" (second circling of the Torah scrolls) ceremony, scheduled for the evening of Simchat Torah, will also be dedicated to Psalms of praise and thanksgiving.

The Hakafot Shniyot event will take place on Saturday night, October 3rd, starting at 10:00 PM in the Western Wall plaza. The ceremony will feature singer Eli Cohen, the orchestra of Yoni Eliyav, and the "Naranina" choir.