Shofar Blowing at the Western Wall in Prayers for Israeli Held Hostage in Gaza

Jerusalem, 21 March, 2024 (TPS) -- A special prayer session including the blowing of the shofar – a ram’s horn – for the release of the Israelis held hostage in Gaza by Hamas terrorists was held Thursday March 21 in the afternoon at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem. The prayers were part of a worldwide call for the release of the hostages.

It was held on the day of the “fast of Esther” which is observed by Jews before the Purim holiday because Esther, in the story of Purim, fasted in prayer asking God to protect the Jews from the evil Haman.
Jerusalem March 21, 2024.
Photo by Yoav Dudkevitch/TPS