As Passover approaches, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation is preparing to welcome tens of thousands of visitors and pilgrims for the intermediate days of the holiday (Chol HaMoed), with a series of moving and festive events.
Among them, this year’s traditional Priestly Blessing (Birkat Kohanim) will hold special significance, taking place in the presence of freed hostages, families of those still in captivity, and wounded IDF soldiers.
Two Ceremonies, Thousands of Participants
To allow more of the public to participate, the blessing will be held twice:
Tuesday, April 15 (17 Nisan), and Thursday, April 17 (19 Nisan)
Following the first blessing, the traditional “Assembly” (Hakkhel) ceremony will take place, attended by Israel’s Chief Rabbis and the Rabbi of the Western Wall.
Both events will be broadcast live on the Western Wall Heritage Foundation website, and will serve as moments of remembrance, strength, and national prayer. The public is encouraged to attend in person or tune in from across Israel and around the world.
Annual Preparations: Wall Inspection and Note Collection
As is customary before the holidays, the stones of the Western Wall are undergoing safety inspections by engineers, supervised by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, to remove loose stones or vegetation, in accordance with Jewish law (halacha).
Later this week, the traditional clearing of prayer notes placed in the Wall will also take place. The notes are respectfully gathered and buried in a dedicated genizah (burial site for holy objects) alongside worn-out religious books.
Blessing of the Trees Also Held at the Wall
In addition, fruit-bearing trees have been placed at the site to allow pilgrims to take part in the custom of the Blessing of the Trees (Birkat Ha’Ilanot), a custom observed during the Hebrew month of Nisan.
