“And may He grant you peace’: Prayers for the safety of the inhabitants of Zion and its security forces; prayers for the souls of Maya and Rina Dee, Hy”d, brutally murdered in a terror attack on Friday, and for the recovery of their mother, Leah bat Tzippora, who was critically injured in the attack.
15,000 people participated in the Birkat Kohanim of Passover 5783 / 2023 during Shacharit and Mussaf prayers this morning (Sunday) at the Western Wall Plaza.
The event took place in the presence of the chief rabbis of Israel, the Rishon LeZion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef and Rabbi David Lau; the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz; Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, Jerusalem District Police Commander Doron Turgeman, hundreds of kohanim (priests) from around Israel, and the public.
At the end of the service, special prayers were said for the unity of the Jewish nation, followed by “kabbalat ol malchut shamayim” (accepting the yoke of the kingdom of heaven).
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, noted that: “Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing, ends with the words “and grant you peace” – peace in and out of your home, a suitable blessing every day, and particularly timely nowadays. From the unifying site of the Western Wall, we call and pray for unity at home. “Establish peace, well-being and blessing, favor, loving-kindness and compassion upon us and upon all of Yisrael, Your people. Bless us, O our Father, all of us together, with the light of Your countenance.” For the unity of the Jewish nation, as one person with one heart.”
Tens of thousands of pilgrims have visited the Western Wall so far on this holiday.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation asks that the public adhere to the instructions of the Israel Police and the ushers who are directing crowds for the benefit of all who come to the Western Wall.
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Picture credit: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation
