Tel Aviv
Thousands of Jews converged on the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Monday for Sukkot holiday prayers, including the Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing).
Meanwhile, Israeli Police arrested three Palestinians who harassed Jews visiting the Temple Mount. During the event, hundreds of kohanim, descendants of Aaron the Priest, give a traditional benediction.
Due to the high demand, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which administers the holy site, is this year holding the Birkat Kohanim service twice. The second will be held on Wednesday.
According to the foundation, 50,000 people attended Monday’s event.
Among those participating on Monday were Israeli Chief Rabbis Yitzhak Yosef and David Lau, Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites Shmuel Rabinowitz and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion.
The Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall dates back to 1931 and is traditionally held during the intermediary days of Passover and Sukkot, and on Shavuot.
The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, is the only remnant of a retaining wall encircling the Temple Mount built by Herod the Great and is the holiest site where Jews can freely pray. The Temple Mount, where the First and Second Temples were built, is the overall holiest site in Judaism.
Police said they arrested three Palestinians who harassed Jews visiting the Temple Mount.
The police said a handful of Palestinians had positioned themselves to chant inciting nationalistic slogans at Jews visiting the hilltop esplanade. A police spokesperson said the crowd was pushed back and three individuals were detained for questioning.
