40,000 at Birchas Kohanim at the Kotel

Forty thousand people took part in the second Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) ceremony during the Shacharit and Musaf prayers for the festival of Sukkot, held this morning (Sunday) at the Western Wall Plaza.

In the hope that this would be the final time, after two years of prayers for the return of all the hostages at the Western Wall, the rabbi of the Western Wall offered a special prayer for their return – for the living to be reunited with their families, and for the dead to be brought to burial in Israel. Tens of thousands joined together, moved and emotional, in a special prayer of thanksgiving for the anticipated release of the hostages within the coming day.

Before the ceremony began, the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, delivered words of encouragement to the large crowd, calling on the public not to relent and to continue praying for the full return of the hostages, for the safety of IDF soldiers, and for the recovery of the wounded.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation expressed great satisfaction with the holiday, noting that more than half a million worshippers and visitors have already come to the Western Wall Plaza since the start of the festival to fulfill the mitzvah of Aliyah laRegel (pilgrimage). Among them were rabbis, public figures, many tourists from abroad, and multitudes from across Israel and the world who chose to celebrate Sukkot in the holy city of Jerusalem. The highlight was the two traditional Birkat Kohanim ceremonies, when tens of thousands came to bless and be blessed with Aaron’s blessing – the Priestly Blessing – together with survivors of captivity and the families of the hostages.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation: “We conclude the festival with deep appreciation to the Israel Police and security forces who worked tirelessly, day and night, to protect the citizens of Israel and the visitors to the Western Wall. As in the days of the ancient pilgrimage, many from Israel and around the world chose to visit the Western Wall Tunnels, which were filled to capacity throughout the holiday.”

As per tradition – Hakafot Shniyot (Second Hakafot) on the night after Simchat Torah:
The traditional Hakafot Shniyot celebration at the Western Wall Plaza will, God willing, take place on Tuesday night | Eve of 23 Tishrei | October 14, 2025, starting at 10:00 p.m., accompanied by singer Eli Cohen, Yoni Eliav’s orchestra, and the Narnana Choir.

After a long period of pain, longing, and prayer – this year’s celebration will G-d willing be dedicated with psalms and thanksgiving for the expected release of the hostages, with hearts filled with joy and emotion.

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Photo credit: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation