Birkas Kohanim At Kotel Draws Thousands (Video & Photos)

By Staff Reporter
Posted on 03/29/21 | News Source: Arutz-7

Jerusalem, Israel - Mar. 29, 2021 - Preparations were underway at the Western Wall Plaza for the arrival of thousands of worshippers for Birkas Kohanim well before Pesach. Careful attention was given to safeguarding the public’s health and keeping to Health Ministry regulations.

As per Health Ministry guidelines and in coordination with the Israel Police, the public from around Israel was allowed to come to the Western Wall Plaza during Passover 5781 limited only by the Plaza’s capacity.

In order to allow for the many people planning to come to the traditional Birkas Kohanim event while avoiding crowding, this year it was decided to divide it into two separate events on consecutive days.

The first event took place on Monday, the first intermediate day of Pesach in Israel, the 16th of Nissan, March 29, and the next on Tuesday, the 2nd intermediate day, the 17th of Nissan.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation thanked the Health Ministry and the Israel Police for their collaboration and asked the public to follow their directions and those of the ushers.

The Birkas Kohanim broadcast for those not able to attend was on Monday morning is available online.

The live English broadcast of the 2nd Birkat Kohanim is on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.  A choir will accompany the prayer service on both days.

Tens of thousands of Israelis made their way to the Old City, not only for Birkas Kohanim but all day and into the night. In the afternoon, thousands of families with baby strollers came and went filling the narrow alleyways and streets. The mood was upbeat as the Pesach holiday began with people dressed in their Yom Tov finest. The Old City looked alive again after a year with multiple coronavirus closures.