A prayer gathering is being organized at the Western Wall Plaza for the safe return of the captives to their homes

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Avichai Brodtz, whose wife and children were abducted delivered a chilling message from the Western Wall: “The message I want to convey here from this holy place is to remind everyone of the importance of family and the significance of children for their father and of a wife for her husband. I believe that this is what strengthens and unites all of us, the love of a father for his family. To remind everyone that this is what matters most to us also as a nation, and to strive for them to return as soon as possible.”

Hundreds of people gathered to pray for the safe return of the abducted captives and for the well-being of the IDF soldiers at the Western Wall Plaza, in the spirit of “all Israel is responsible for one another.”

The ceremony began with the recitation of Avinu Malkeinu (Our Father, Our King), followed by the Psalms recited by the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz. The Rabbi then offered a prayer for the swift return of the abductees to their homes in peace and for the success of the IDF soldiers and security forces. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the participants said a prayer for the well-being of the State of Israel and together sang “Our Brothers, all the House of Israel.”

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz said: “From the united place of the people of Israel, the Western Wall, together with the united people, we prayed for the return of the captives and the missing and for the well-being of the IDF soldiers and the security forces. With the power of unity and prayer, we will defeat our enemies and bring our captives home.”

The event was broadcast live, and thousands joined from their homes to pray together for the rapid return of the abductees.

Photo Credit: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation

“Our brothers, the entire House of Israel, who are in distress and captivity, who stand between the sea and the dry land, may the One above have mercy on them and bring them from distress to relief, from darkness to light, and from servitude to redemption. May it happen speedily in our days, and let us say, Amen!”

More updates

Bereishit Rabbah

An Olive Leaf from Paradise – Parashat Noach

In Parashat Noach, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz interprets the dove’s olive leaf as a symbol of spiritual freedom — preferring the “bitter” sustenance from God over sweet dependence on man. Emerging from the ark into an empty yet liberating world, the dove embodies the yearning for self-reliance and divine trust. The message resonates today with the joy of those released from captivity — stepping once more into the paradise of freedom after deep suffering.

read more »
Cain and Abel

The Lesson of Cain – Parashat Bereshit

The story of Cain and Abel teaches that life is a series of choices between resentment and self-improvement. When we let go of jealousy and embrace gratitude, we rise above bitterness and help create a world filled with joy, kindness, and light.

read more »

נא בדוק את החיבור שלך לאינטרנט

Search

Book a tour

Amis et frères juifs résidents en France vivants en ces derniers temps des jours compliqués de violence et de saccages , nous vous invitons à formuler ici vos prières qui seront imprimés et déposées entre les prières du Mur des lamentations .