Thousands Participate in the First Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) This Morning at The Western Wall Plaza.
Thousands participated in the first Birkat Kohanim of Passover 5782 that took place this morning (Monday) at the Western Wall Plaza in a festive and moving event with many kohanim families from around Israel and the world- Second Birkat Kohanim prayer will take place on Wednesday, the 4th day of Chol Hamoed.
This year is the 51st year since Birkat Kohanim, when hundreds of kohanim bless the public with the special blessing from the Torah, was reinstituted at the Western Wall by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gafner. It has been organized for years by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation on Chol Hamoed (intermediate days) of Passover and Sukkot and thousands stream to the Western Wall Plaza to take part in this moving experience.
This morning’s event took place in the presence of The Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, and Rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz.
At the end of the prayer service, there was a special service and kabbalat ol malchut shamayim (accepting the kingship of heaven) by the Rishon LeZion who blesses the audience and the security forces. There was also a special prayer recited for the welfare and safety of the Jewish nation in Israel by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz.
Rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz: “Birkat Kohanim at the Western Wall has become a tradition of over 50 years. The event is full of excitement, hope, and prayer for protection from harm, so necessary now. As it says in Chronicles, “And the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came to His holy habitation, to heaven” (Chronicles II 30, 27).
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation wishes to remind the public that another Birkat Kohanim will take place on Wednesday, the 4th day of Chol Hamoed, in the same format, for those who weren’t able to come today.
