Father of Hamas Hostages Leads Emotional Tefillah at Kosel

Hundreds gathered to pray for the safe return of the abducted captives and for the well-being of the IDF soldiers at the Kosel, with the participation of Avichai Brodtz, whose wife and children were abducted.

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, followed by Tehillim 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 “Acheinu Kol Beis Yisroel.”

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.”

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