The traditional intermediate days of Passover morning prayers, including the priestly blessing, took place Sunday at the Western Wall Plaza with a single group of ten kohanim (Aaronic priests) who are residents of the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.
This is in accordance with the special regulations for the coronavirus pandemic. They were joined for a special prayer and blessing dedicated to the complete recovery of the United States and the entire world by U.S. Ambassador David Friedman who is also a kohen. The prayers were led by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites.
The kohanim prayed for all who have fallen ill among the Jewish people and the entire world and for the end of the pandemic.
This year marks 50 years since the reinstatement of the priestly blessing ceremony – which is now organized by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation – by the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gafner.
Rabbi Rabinowitz prayed for the sick among the Jewish people and the entire world and for the end of the pandemic, and said: “These days, with the entire Jewish people and everyone in the world looking up to Heaven, the priestly blessing is that much more significant. We know that the gates of tears are never closed, let alone the gates of the Western Wall. May the priestly blessing and the prayers of masses of Jews to protect us from harm rise up to Heaven and may G-d say – Stop! And may we all merit to return to pray a prayer of thanksgiving with great joy at the Western Wall.”
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation reiterated that the daily prayers at the Western Wall are conducted in accordance with the mandated regulations and are broadcast live for the public on the Western Wall website and on a designated phone number.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation also reminded the public that it took upon itself during these unusual times to say the mourner’s kaddish prayer for whoever needs it during the approved daily prayers at the Western Wall. Names of the deceased for the kaddish (with their father’s names) can be sent via the Western Wall Heritage Foundation website or by WhatsApp directly to +972-52-3077788 / 052-3077788.