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Admin on 28 September, 2026
Photo Essay: Ancient Tradition Draws 50,000 to Jerusalem’s Western Wall
Jerusalem, 28 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- More than 50,000 Jews gathered at Jerusalem’s Western Wall on Monday morning for the traditional—and colorful—Priestly Blessing, one of the largest annual gatherings at the holy site.
Held during major holidays, the ancient ceremony brings worshippers from across Israel and around the world to the Old City, where they join in prayer and receive the blessing traditionally recited by descendants of the biblical priestly families.
The Sukkot holiday is one of the three biblical pilgrimage festivals, when ancient Israelites were commanded to travel to the Temple in Jerusalem. The other two are Passover and Shavuot.
Kohanim (priests) are descendants of Aaron, the first High Priest. The status is passed from father to son.
The Four Species held by worshipers are four plants traditionally used together by Jews during Sukkot: a date palm branch, myrtle branches, willow branches and an etrog (citron).
Held since 1970, the ceremony serves as both a religious observance and a moment of national solidarity.
In April, Home Front Command restrictions during Passover limited attendance to 50 people in a covered area.
The Western Wall is the only remnant of a retaining wall encircling the Temple Mount, built by Herod the Great in the first century. The Temple Mount, where the First and Second Jewish Temples were built, is the overall holiest site in Judaism.
Photos by Elad Zagman/TPS-IL
