The second day of the festive priests' blessing at the Western Wall:
Thousands of worshipers arrived yesterday (Wednesday) at the Western Wall plaza for the traditional priests' blessing ceremony, which took place in a festive and exciting format with the participation of hundreds of priests' families from around the country.
The event was attended by the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau, Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Places, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Police, Rabbi Rami Brachiahu, and former US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman.
Due to the corona and in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, this year the Western Wall Heritage Foundation split the traditional priests' blessing into two days, so even today the class will be held to prevent overcrowding and disperse the loads.
The blessing of the priests has become a tradition of more than a decade.
The special class is full of excitement, hope and prayer, as it is written in the book of Chronicles:
A 50-year-old tradition
The tradition, founded by the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Geffner, has been going on for more than 50 years and has been organized by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation for many years.
Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Places, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, said: "In the blessing of the priests written in the Torah, there is a promise of protection from pests and peace for Israel, especially in these days when the people of Israel are required for faith, security, safety and health."
The Jerusalem Police has increased preparedness for the weekdays of Sukkot.
Hundreds of police, border fighters and volunteers will be deployed throughout the city, with an emphasis on the Old City area and traffic arteries.
