Eliyah Cohen, who was recently released from Hamas captivity, led the Birkas Kohanim at the Kosel on Tuesday morning to over 50,000 people, including many hostage families.
Tens of thousands participated in the first Birkas Kohanim during Shacharis and Musaf held on Tuesday at the Kosel. This traditional ceremony has taken place for 54 years since it was initiated by the righteous Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gafner AH. For years, it has been organized by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation during chol hamoed of Pesach and Sukkos, with hundreds of Kohanim bestowing the bracha 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 mispalelim.
Photo Credit: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation
Discussion
We appreciate your feedback. If you have any additional information to contribute to this article, it will be added below.