Forty thousand people took part in the second Birkas Kohanim ceremony during Shacharis and Musaf held on Sunday morning at the Kosel.

Before the ceremony began, the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, delivered words of encouragement to the large crowd, calling on the public not to relent and to continue praying for the full return of the hostages, for the safety of IDF soldiers, and for the recovery of the wounded.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation expressed great satisfaction with the holiday, noting that more than half a million worshippers and visitors have already come to the Western Wall Plaza since the start of the yom tov. Among them were rabbis, public figures, many tourists from abroad, and multitudes from across Israel and the world who chose to celebrate Sukkot in the holy city of Jerusalem. The highlight was the two traditional Birkat Kohanim ceremonies, when tens of thousands came to bless and be blessed with Birkas Kohanim together with survivors of captivity and the families of the hostages.

As per tradition – Hakafot Shniyot (Second Hakafot) on the night after Simchat Torah:

The traditional Hakafot Shniyot celebration at the Western Wall Plaza will, God willing, take place on Tuesday night | Eve of 23 Tishrei | October 14, 2025, starting at 10:00 p.m., accompanied by singer Eli Cohen, Yoni Eliav’s orchestra, and the Narnana Choir.

After a long period of pain, longing, and prayer – this year’s celebration will G-d willing be dedicated with psalms and thanksgiving for the expected release of the hostages, with hearts filled with joy and emotion.

Link to the live broadcast of the Hakafot Shniyot:

Photo credit: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation