Over 15,000 people took part in Birchas Kohanim at the Kosel on Sunday morning despite the recent wave of terror attacks and the launching of rockets from Syria, Lebanon and Gaza into Israel.
By Anash.org reporter
Photos: Dovber Hechtman/Anash.org
The biannual Birchas Kohanim ceremony took place at the Kosel on Sunday morning on Chol Hamoed Pesach in the shadow of the two murderous terror attacks on Friday and the launching of rockets from Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip into Israel.
The event was held on Sunday morning, the third day of chol hamoed in Eretz Yisrael to permit those visiting from abroad to take part.
Over two thousand Israel Police and Border Police officers were deployed to the area early Sunday morning to ensure visitors’ safety. Despite the security, the crowd was considerably smaller than in past years.
This year’s event was attended by Israel’s chief rabbis, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, and Rabbi David Lau, the rabbi of the Kosel and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz and other dignitaries.
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the Kosel and holy sites rabbi said “Birkat Kohanim is a unique and special annual event. Birkat Kohanim, ends with the words “and grant you peace” – peace in and out of your home, a suitable blessing every day, and particularly timely nowadays. From the unifying site of the Western Wall, we call and pray for unity at home.”
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