10,000 Gather for Birchas Kohanim at the Kosel

About ten thousand Yidden attended a mass Birchas Kohanim this morning at the Kosel. The large Birchas Kohanim is held every Chol Hamoed and draws tremendous crowds. The entire Old City of Yerushalayim was closed to vehicles as thousands streamed by foot and via bus to the Kosel. Some had davened Shacharis elsewhere, while others took part at minyanim at the Kosel. All joined together for the central Birchas Kohanim, with the Kosel chazzan calling out the bracha over a microphone. Literally hundreds of Kohanim gathered at the front of the minyan, right by the Kosel, to bentch their fellow Yidden.

After davening, many in the crowd went to greet the Israeli Chief Rabbis, Rav Yonah Metzger and Rav Shlomo Amar, as well as Rav Shmuel Rabinovitch, rov of the Kosel, to receive their bracha and wish them chag sameiach.

Later today, many will gather at the newly renovated Churvah Shul in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City to daven for former Rishon LeTzion Rav Mordechai Eliyahu. That gathering will be led by Rav Mordechai’s son, Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, rov of Tzefas.

Last night, about 700 people gathered at Kever Yosef amidst heavy security.  

{Yair Alpert-Matzav.com Israel}