Tens of thousands gathered at Jerusalem’s holiest Jewish prayer site on Tuesday for the traditional priestly blessing prayer known as “Birkat Cohanim” or Cohen’s blessing. This ancient ritual, tracing back over 2,500 years to the era of King Solomon’s Temple, is conducted by male Jews of priestly lineage. The blessing occurs three times annually during Judaism’s major holidays. Currently, Jews worldwide are observing Passover, a week-long festival.
This year, the ceremony was led by prominent rabbis and included Eliya Cohen, a former hostage released from Gaza in February, alongside relatives of other hostages still detained in Gaza. Following the blessing, prayers were offered for the 59 hostages still held captive there. Many participants expressed that the prayer held special significance this year due to the ongoing conflict, which has persisted for more than 18 months. Shandey Fuchs, a regular attendee of the ceremony, expressed hope that the prayer would bring unity and lasting peace across Israel.
The blessing was delivered in Hebrew, with religious men covering their heads with prayer shawls, creating a striking display of white at the Western Wall Plaza. This paved area in front of the wall remains a vestige of the second Jewish Temple, destroyed in the 1st century. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, responsible for managing the site, reported that over 200,000 individuals have visited during Passover, a holiday traditionally marked by pilgrimages to Jerusalem.
The Societal Shift
This year’s “Birkat Cohanim” holds profound cultural and emotional resonance for attendees and the wider community. The participation of former hostages and their families underscores the ongoing impact of the regional conflict, highlighting the human aspect of geopolitical strife. This event serves as a reminder of the enduring hope for peace and solidarity in the face of prolonged adversity.
For the broader community, the prayer gathering provides a moment of unity and reflection. It offers a chance to collectively envision a future free from conflict and division. Such cultural and religious events reinforce the importance of maintaining connections to heritage and faith, especially during times of uncertainty. As individuals come together in shared spirituality, they foster a sense of collective identity and purpose, contributing to social cohesion and resilience.