Sukkot 5787 (2026) at the Western Wall
Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing)
- Monday, 17 Tishrei (September 28)
- Thursday, 20 Tishrei (October 1)
- 8:45 – Shacharit
- 9:30 – Birkat Kohanim of Shacharit
- 10:15 – Mussaf
- 10:30 – Birkat Kohanim of Mussaf
In the presence of the Chief Rabbis of Israel, and the Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites
“Hakbalat P’nei Rabo” will take place on Monday, 17 Tishrei (Sept. 28), immediately following the prayer service.
Second Hakafot
Motzaei Simchat Torah
Saturday night
23 Tishrei 5787
October 3, 2026
Starting at 10:00 PM
All events will be broadcast live on the website of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.
The following are the dates for Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) during Chol Hamoed Sukkot 5787:
Monday, 17 Tishrei 5787 – September 28, 2026
Thursday, 20 Tishrei 5787 – October 3, 2026
First day of Sukkot 2026
Saturday, 15 Tishrei 5787 – September 26, 2026
Holiday begins (Jerusalem): 18:14
Holiday ends (Jerusalem): 19:07
1st day of Chol Hamoed Sukkot 2026
Sunday, 16 Tishrei 5787 – September 27, 2026
2nd day of Chol Hamoed Sukkot 2026 – Birkat Kohanim
Monday, 17 Tishrei 5787 – September 28, 2026
3rd day of Chol Hamoed Sukkot 2026
Tuesday, 18 Tishrei 5787 – September 29, 2026
4th day of Chol Hamoed Sukkot 2026
Wednesday, 19 Tishrei 5787 – September 30, 2026
5th day of Chol Hamoed Sukkot 2026 – Birkat Kohanim
Thursday, 20 Tishrei 5787 – October 1, 2026
Hoshana Rabbah – 6th day of Chol Hamoed Sukkot 2026
Friday, 21 Tishrei 5787 – October 2, 2026
Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Torah 2026
Saturday, 22 Tishrei 5787 – October 3, 2026
Holiday begins (Jerusalem): 18:05
Holiday ends (Jerusalem): 18:58
Second Hakafot at the Western Wall at 22:00, with music and approximately 100 Torah scrolls
Press release
Monday | 17 Tishrei 5787 | September 28, 2026
With the participation of released hostages and bereaved families: Approximately 80,000 worshippers participated this morning in the first Birkat Kohanim ceremony of Sukkot • To date, approximately 250,000 people have visited the Western Wall Plaza • At the ceremony, defense minister Israel Katz prayed for the safety of IDF soldiers • The Western Wall Heritage Foundation invites the public to participate in the second Birkat Kohanim ceremony, which will take place this Thursday in the same format.
Tens of thousands participated in the first Birkat Kohanim ceremony, held during the Shacharit and Musaf prayers for Sukkot this morning (Monday) at the Western Wall Plaza. This traditional ceremony has been held for the past 56 years, since its establishment by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gefner z”l, and has for many years been organized by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation during Chol Hamoed Pesach and Sukkot. During the ceremony, hundreds of kohanim bless the congregation with the special priestly blessing.
The ceremony was attended by the chief rabbi of Israel and Rishon LeZion, Rabbi David Yosef; chief rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Kalman Ber; rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz; defense minister Israel Katz; national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir; minister for the Negev, Galilee and national resilience Yitzhak Wasserlauf; Jerusalem mayor Moshe Lion; Israel Police commissioner, RNC Danny Levy; Jerusalem district commander Avshalom Peled; former U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman; director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation Mordechai (Suli) Eliav; director-general of the Ministry of Religious Services Yehuda Avidan; released hostage Bar Cooperstein; Motti Wieder, father of Staff Sgt. Eliashiv Eitan Wieder Hy”d; rabbis, ministers, public figures, hundreds of kohanim and thousands of worshippers.
The prayers were led by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites. During the service, defense minister Israel Katz raised his hands for Birkat Kohanim and offered a prayer for the safety and success of IDF soldiers and the security forces. Following the prayers, a traditional “hak’balat penei rabbo baregel” ceremony was held, attended by Israel’s chief rabbis and the rabbi of the Western Wall. Thousands of worshippers passed before the rabbis and received their blessings for the holiday.
Moving moments were recorded during the ceremony, as released hostage Bar Cooperstein joined the tens of thousands of worshippers in a prayer of thanksgiving for the return of all the hostages one year ago. Motti Wieder, father of Staff Sgt. Elishiv Eitan Wieder Hy”d, who fell in battle in southern Lebanon on the eve of Sukkot two years ago, recited Kaddish in memory of his son.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation invites the public to attend an additional Birkat Kohanim ceremony this Thursday | 20 Tishrei 5787 | October 1, 2026, in the same format, to allow those who were unable to attend today to receive the blessing. The ceremony will be broadcast on the Western Wall Heritage Foundation’s website beginning at 8:45 a.m.
The Foundation asks the public to follow the instructions of the Israel Police and the directions of the ushers, who will regulate the arrival of visitors throughout the holiday for the benefit of all those visiting the Western Wall.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation: “The ceremony was dedicated to heartfelt prayers for the safety of IDF soldiers, the recovery of the wounded, and the peace and unity of Israel. The Foundation prepared in advance for the arrival of tens of thousands of visitors and worshippers during Sukkot to commemorate the biblical commandment of pilgrimage. We invite the public to participate in the second ceremony, which will take place this Thursday.”
Meanwhile, the Foundation apologizes to the hundreds of visitors seeking to purchase tickets for the Western Wall Tunnels during Chol Hamoed Sukkot, as all tickets have sold out in advance. Only a very limited number of spaces remain for the new “Gateway to Heaven” experience, which recently opened to the public at the Western Wall. Reservations can be made through the Foundation’s website.
Photo credit: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation
After Moments of Terror in the Air, Mass Prayer of Thanksgiving at the Western Wall: Tens of Thousands Gather to Give Thanks for the Rescue of Passengers on the Flight from Dubai
Tens of Thousands of Worshippers Participate in the Second Priestly Blessing Ceremony at the Western Wall for Sukkot • Nearly One Million Worshippers and Visitors Have Visited the Western Wall Plaza Since the Beginning of the Holiday
Tens of thousands of worshippers participated in the second Priestly Blessing (Birkat Kohanim) ceremony, held during the Shacharit and Musaf prayers for Sukkot this morning (Thursday) at the Western Wall Plaza.
During the ceremony, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites, together with the tens of thousands gathered, recited chapters of Hallel and prayers of thanksgiving in light of the miracles and acts of _chesed_ that took place yesterday on the flight from Dubai to Israel. He called on the public to increase their prayers of thanks and gratitude, alongside continued prayers for the well-being of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers and security forces, and for the peace and unity of the Jewish people.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation is pleased to report on the holiday thus far, with nearly one million worshippers and visitors having visited the Western Wall Plaza since the beginning of the holiday to fulfill the mitzvah of Aliyah LaRegel (pilgrimage to Jerusalem). Among them have been rabbis, public figures, tourists from abroad, and thousands of Israelis from across the country and around the world who chose to celebrate Sukkot here in Jerusalem, the Holy City.
The holiday reached its peak with the two traditional Birkat Kohanim ceremonies, as tens of thousands came to bless and be blessed with Aaron’s blessing – the Priestly Blessing – together with former hostages and bereaved families.
As is customary, Hakafot Shniyot on Motza’ei Simchat Torah: The traditional Hakafot Shniyot at the Western Wall Plaza will take place, God willing, on Motza’ei Simchat Torah | Saturday night | Eve of 23 Tishrei | October 3, 2026, beginning at 10:00 p.m. at the Western Wall Plaza.
The event will feature singer Eli Cohen, the Yoni Eliav Orchestra, and the Neranena Choir.
In light of the miracles that took place, this year’s ceremony will be dedicated to chapters of Hallel and thanksgiving, with hearts filled with joy.
Photo Credit: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation
