{"id":27631,"date":"2025-09-07T14:10:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-07T11:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reganews.co.il\/en\/?p=27631"},"modified":"2025-09-07T14:10:02","modified_gmt":"2025-09-07T11:10:02","slug":"selichot-season-opens-with-spiritual-power-and-unifying-prayer-at-the-western-wall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reganews.co.il\/en\/selichot-season-opens-with-spiritual-power-and-unifying-prayer-at-the-western-wall\/","title":{"rendered":"Selichot Season Opens with Spiritual Power and Unifying Prayer at the Western Wall"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Western Wall Fills on the First Night
\n<\/strong>Thousands gathered at the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem for the opening night of Selichot<\/em>, marking the start of the penitential season in a powerful communal display. Despite heavy traffic, crowds continued to pour into the Old City, prompting officials to advise the use of public transportation over private vehicles.<\/p>\n

Worshippers of all backgrounds filled the plaza through the night\u2014men, women, youth, bank employees, and Hasidim. Observers reflected on the unique power of the moment, asking what draws such a diverse crowd at such an unusual hour. In a post shared by journalist Sivan Rahav Meir, the opening night of Selichot<\/em> at the Western Wall was described as unexpectedly powerful, as crowds filled the plaza already on the first night. \u201cI thought it was a photo from last year\u2019s Selichot<\/em>,\u201d she wrote, \u201cbut no\u2014the plaza was already full like this on the very first night.\u201d<\/p>\n

A sign placed at the city entrance read: “Avoid arriving by private vehicle for Selichot<\/em> and use public transportation.”<\/p>\n