For the first time: two classes of Birkat Cohanim Israel today

In contrast to the previous year in which a small blessing was held with the participation of 10 priests, this year there will be an extensive event - which will be split into two dates

• Priestly blessing in the pre-corona period

  Photo: 

  IPI

Encouraging news: 

In light of the decrease in morbidity in Corona, this year, in contrast to the previous year, the traditional Priestly Blessing will be held on the Passover holiday.

However, in order to exercise caution, the class will be divided - for the first time in Israel - into two different dates. 

As will be recalled, last Passover a limited and unusual priestly blessing event was held due to the corona guidelines, with the participation of ten priests from the residents of the Jewish Quarter only.

For the first time since the outbreak of the corona, priests from around the country will be able to participate in the traditional event according to the instructions and bless the people of Israel, in an exciting state of unity and confession to God for the improvement we are witnessing these days.

In order to meet the expectations of the general public from all over the country for this special status and to hold in view of the congregational restrictions, it was decided that this year the traditional priests' blessing will be split into two different classes, which will take place day after day, to allow the public to reach the Western Wall.

The classes will take place on the following days:   

Monday - 16th Nissan, 29.3.21 

Tuesday - 17 Nissan, 30.3.21

Prayer times:

• Morning prayer: 8:45

• First priests 'blessing (Shacharit): 9:15

•

Extra

prayer: 10:10

• Second priests' blessing (extra): 10:15

This year, too, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef and Rabbi David Lau, Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Places Shmuel Rabinovich, Minister of Religion Rabbi Yaakov Avitan and Mayor of Jerusalem Mr. Moshe Leon will be honored with their participation in the two classes of Chief Rabbis of Israel. 

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation asks the public who are expected to attend the first Priestly Blessing on Monday, not to attend the Tuesday as well - in order to enable anyone interested in taking part in the event to be able to attend the Priests' Blessing this year.

However, even this year, the classes will be broadcast live on the Western Wall website and on all media, and a separate announcement will be made.

Every year on weekdays, the traditional Priestly Blessing ceremony is held in the Western Wall plaza, with the participation of thousands of priests, worshipers and visitors from all over the country and the world.

The Birkat HaCohanim class began about a year ago in 1931, and has been held continuously since the weekdays of Pesach and Sukkot, where hundreds of priests greet the congregation with a special blessing from the Torah and to which tens of thousands of participants flock.