Eliyah Cohen, Released from Hamas Captivity, Blessed Tens of Thousands during Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) at the Western Wall
With the participation of hostage families: Over 50,000 people attended the first Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) ceremony this morning • Around 200,000 visitors have come to the Western Wall so far during Passover• Tens of thousands offered prayers for the return of the hostages, the success of IDF soldiers, and the recovery of the wounded
Tens of thousands participated in the first Birkat Kohanim during the Shacharit and Musaf prayers of the Passover holiday, held this morning (Tuesday) at the Western Wall Plaza. This traditional ceremony has taken place for 54 years since it was initiated by the righteous Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gafner zz”l. For years, it has been organized by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation during the intermediate days of Passover and Sukkot, with hundreds of Kohanim bestowing a special blessing upon the public.
The ceremony was attended by the Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Yosef shlit”a; the Ashkenazi chief rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Kalman Bar shlit”a; the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz shlit”a; chief rabbi of the Israel Police, Commander Rabbi Rami Rahamim Berachyahu; Israel police commissioner, Commissioner Kobi Shabtai; Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion; Panama’s ambassador to Israel Ezra Cohen; rabbis, ministers, public figures; Eliyah Cohen, who was recently released from Hamas captivity; the families of Segev Kalfon and Uriel Baruch, who are still held hostage by Hamas; hundreds of Kohanim, and thousands of worshipers.
The prayer service was led by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz shlit”a, and was followed by the traditional “Greeting One’s Rabbi on the Festival” ceremony with the chief rabbis of Israel and rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, during which thousands of worshipers came to receive holiday blessings.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation invites the public to attend an additional Birkat Kohanim ceremony on Thursday, 19 Nisan 5785 | April 17, 2025, following the same format, to allow those who could not attend today to receive the blessing. The event will be broadcast live on the Foundation’s website starting at 8:45 AM.
The Foundation requests that the public comply with the instructions of the Israel Police and ushers who will manage the flow of visitors throughout the holiday for the benefit of all those visiting the Western Wall.
Western Wall Heritage Foundation:
“This ceremony was dedicated to prayers for the return of the hostages, the well-being of IDF soldiers, the recovery of the wounded, and for peace and security in Israel. The Foundation prepared in advance for the arrival of tens of thousands of visitors and worshipers during the Passover holiday to commemorate the pilgrimage to the Temple. We invite the public to participate in the second ceremony on Thursday.”
Meanwhile, the Foundation apologizes to the hundreds of visitors hoping to purchase tickets to the Western Wall Tunnels during the intermediate days of Passover, which sold out in advance. Only a few spots remain for the new multimedia experience, “The Gateway to Heaven,” which recently opened to the public. Reservations can be made through the Foundation’s website.
