Over One Million People Participated in Slichot at the Western Wall Plaza

Preparations underway for hundreds of thousands of anticipated visitors during Succot

Hakafot Shniyot to take place at the Western Wall Plaza for the first time

Over one million people visited the Western Wall during the days of mercy and Slichot, with the peak being during the moving Slichot service at the Western Wall Plaza at midnight on the night before Yom Kippur when 100,000 people came from all over Israel and the world. The service was held in the presence of the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi Yosef and Rabbi Lau, and with the Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, Rabbi Rabinowitz.
The event was established by the Rishon LeZion Rabbi Yosef, of blessed memory. It takes place annually, beginning with Slichot and culminating with a ceremony of nulling curses.
Rabbi Rabinowitz opened the event with moving words, noting that Rabbi Yosef, zl, participated in the event every year since he established it and even now, his spirit is there and his merit protects its participants and the entire Jewish nation. The Slichot were recited by Moshe Chavusha with kabbalat ol malchut shamayim (accepting Gods kingship) recited by Rabbi Yosef. Psalms and prayers were said by Rabbi Lau.
Many other Slichot services were held every evening during Aseret Yemei Teshuva (between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) as well as on the days leading up to Rosh Hashana. According to estimates, over a million people from different communities and streams participated in these various services.
Now preparations are underway at the Western Wall Plaza to prepare for hundreds of thousands of anticipated visitors during the upcoming holiday of Succot (Feast of Tabernacles).