Oct 12, 2017 Approximately 1.5 million people visited the Western Wall this past month The staff of the Western Wall are pleased with the summary of the month of holidays that just passed with estimates that approximately one and a half million people came to the Western Wall during the month of slichot, High Holidays and Succot.The masses of people came to the Western Wall during all hours of the day and from all streams and communities, observant and secular, young and old. This is evidence of the deep connection between all segments of the Jewish nation and the Western Wall and Jewish tradition.The Western Wall Heritage Foundation noted the moving Slichot services, the traditional Birkat Kohanim, and the very first Hakafot Shniyot in which tens of thousands of Jews from Israel and around the world participated. Further details
Notices from the Western Wall Approximately 1.5 million people visited the Western Wall this past month The staff of the Western Wall are pleased with the summary of the month of holidays that just passed with estimates that approximately one and a half million people came to the Western Wall during the month of slichot, High Holidays and Succot.The masses of people came to the Western Wall during all hours of the day and from all streams and communities, observant and secular, young and old. This is evidence of the deep connection between all segments of the Jewish nation and the Western Wall and Jewish tradition.The Western Wall Heritage Foundation noted the moving Slichot services, the traditional Birkat Kohanim, and the very first Hakafot Shniyot in which tens of thousands of Jews from Israel and around the world participated. Further details Central Slichot (Penitential Prayer) services on Yom Kippur evening at the Western Wall Further details Tens of Thousands participate in the central Slichot service at the Western Wall Tens of thousands of people have been coming every night at midnight to the Western Wall to recite Slichot (Penitential Prayers). The slichot prayer unites everyone who participates in this special service of pouring out one’s soul. Right now, the Western Wall Plaza is full of worshippers from all over Israel and the world who are accepting God’s kingship on these days of repentance, begging God to have mercy on them. During the services held by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation during the last few weeks, there were hundreds of thousands of participants from different streams and different communities. The Foundation prepared over 100,000 slichot booklets for the worshippers, donated by Mr. Alberto and Sharon Cojab of Mexico. The Western Wall Plaza was prepared for the hundreds of thousands who came during Aseret Yemei Tshuva (the ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur) and is preparing for all those who will come on Yom Kippur as well. The main slichot service will take place tonight, Thursday – 8 Tishrei, 5778 (September 28, 2017) at 12:15 at night in the presence of Israel’s chief rabbis – Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef and Rabbi David Lau, as well as the Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz. Rabbi Moshe Chavusha will be leading the service. All the events are broadcast on the Western Wall Facebook page and on the Western Wall Heritage Foundation website Further details Slichot (Penitential Prayers) at the Western Wall in the presence of Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu Further details Prayer Notes from U.S. Senate Members Placed between Stones of the Western Wall Several weeks ago, Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein decided to mark the festivities of 50 years since the reunification of Jerusalem in a unique manner. He sent a letter to 535 members of the Senate and Congress and asked them to send notes to be placed between the stones of the Western Wall.“The Western Wall is the only remnant of the Temple,” Edelstein wrote, and added that it is customary to write prayers and requests and place the notes between the ancient stones. “In honor of this 50th anniversary,” he wrote “I invite you to send your requests and prayers and I will see to it that they are placed between these sacred stones.”Very quickly, many letters with prayers began arriving in the Speaker’s office from important people in the United States.“I send my blessings to the Jewish state in honor of the 50th anniversary of Jerusalem’s reunification,” wrote Congressman Luke Messer from Indiana. “Israel is our closest friend in the area and is among the United States’ closest allies in the world. I would like to reaffirm that the State of Indiana and the entire United States stand with Israel. The Western Wall, where this letter will be placed, is a house of prayer for all nations and this day gives us the opportunity to pray for the Jewish state. I hope it continues to be a beacon of democracy and freedom. May the Israeli nation be blessed with peace and prosperity.”“I humbly present my wishes for the residents of Jerusalem and all the citizens of Israel,” wrote Senator Elizabeth Warren. “I was deeply moved when I walked the streets of this city which is holy to three religions. As a daughter of God and a United States senator, I pray for eternal peace, prosperity, and security for the residents of Jerusalem and the entire Holy Land.”“I would like to thank you for your invitation to take part in marking 50 years to the reunification of Jerusalem by sending prayers,” wrote Congressman Tod Rokita. “Israel faces challenges that no other country has to deal with and I admire your resilience. There are few countries with the closeness shared by our two nations, stemming from our shared values and interests. We share a commitment to freedom, to democracy, and to initiative. Strengthening our relationship is one of my wishes. Your country is our ally and I truly hope our friendship is eternal.”Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein asked Rabbi Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall, to be the emissary of the senators and congressmen and the letters were all placed between the stones of the Wall by the Rabbi.Rabbi Rabinowitz said, “It is moving to be the emissary and to place these prayer notes, sent by United States congressmen and senators, between the sacred stones of the Western Wall. I pray that all their prayers and requests are answered.” Further details
The Western Wall We all know that the Western Wall, the Kotel, is the most significant site in the world for the Jewish people. We know that it is the last remnant of our Temple. We also know that Jews from around the world gather here to pray. People write notes to G-d and place them between the ancient stones of the Wall. Read more
Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel The Western Wall Heritage Foundation invites you to celebrate a Bar Mitzvah at the Kotel, in a unique atmosphere of unity and holiness, and at no charge. Read more Registration Form
Western Wall Sites The Western Wall Plaza is home to some of the most interesting historical tourist sites in the world, which offer a unique perspective on the genealogy of the Jewish people and the history of Jerusalem. We invite you to visit the sites and enjoy an empowering and unforgettable experience.
The Journey to JerusalemAbout The Journey to Jerusalem A Look into the PastAbout A Look into the Past Behind the ScenesAbout Behind the Scenes The Western Wall TunnelsAbout The Western Wall Tunnels The Chain of Generations CenterAbout The Chain of Generations Center The Ohel Yitzchak SynagogueAbout The Ohel Yitzchak Synagogue The Journey to JerusalemAbout The Journey to Jerusalem A Look into the PastAbout A Look into the Past The Core ExcavationsAbout The Core Excavations The Western Wall TunnelsAbout The Western Wall Tunnels The Chain of Generations CenterAbout The Chain of Generations Center The Ohel Yitzchak SynagogueAbout The Ohel Yitzchak Synagogue
Interesting Facts The Western Wall Plaza hosts approximately 60,000 people. It symbolizes the Jewish link to Jerusalem and serves as the synagogue closest to the remains of both Holy Temples. The Western Wall's visible stones tell of its history from the time of the Holy Temples' ruin. The original Herodian stones are distinct from the others in size and in their unique borders. The building style of "grading" used when layering the Western Wall's stones, teaches us that the Temple Mount's walls were not perpendicular but marginally sloping.
TodayTuesday 27 Tishre 5778, 10.17.2017Dawn5:44Mid day:11:24Sunset17:09Torah weekly sectionNoachTimes are according to Standard Time