Preparations continue at the Kosel for the expected hundreds of thousands of visitors during Sukkos. Authorities write that over 500,000 visitors were at the Kosel during the last month, beginning with slichos during Elul through Yom Kippur.

The Kosel Heritage Foundation will have two sukkas available to visitors, donated by R’ Eli Kleinman of the USA. One of them will also have arba minim available for those requiring, especially for many visitors wishing to act in line with the ruling of the Rambam, that one may fulfill the Biblical mitzvah of the arba minim during chol hamoed in Yerushalayim inside the Old City as was the minhag of Rav Elyashiv ZT”L.

Birkas Kohanim will be held on Wednesday, 17 Tishrei, the second day of chol hamoed at 09:30 for shachris and 10:30 for musaf. Shachris begins at 08:45 and musaf is scheduled to begin at 10:15.

There will be a hachnasas Sifrei Torah on Wednesday 17 Tishrei at 17:00 as part of the ‘Zecher L’Hakel’ event following shmitah year. The Chief Rabbis of Israel will take part in the event which will include Kabolas Ohl Malchus Shomayim. The chief chazon of the Jerusalem Great Synagogue, R’ Chaim Adler will take part along with paiton Yehuda Naftali of Kehillat Nernana and other singers.

The Sifrei Torah are donated by the Alberto Kochav family of Mexico, Zori Atiya family of Mexico, Mr. Ira Renart and his family and the America Israeli Congress.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)