PHOTOS: Preparations For Yom Kippur & Sukkos At The Kosel – Schedule For Birchas Kohanim

(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected at the Kosel over Yom Kippur and Sukkos and police, the Kosel Heritage Foundation and other agencies and organizations are finalizing preparations.

Tens of thousands are expected at night before Yom Kippur for the recitation of Slichos, with the main recitation beginning at 12:15AM.

Kosel Heritage Foundation officials report ‘arba minim’ will be available in the public sukka in the Kosel Plaza, permitting those wishing to fulfill the mitzvah according to the Rambam, who holds the mitzva is d’oraissa on Chol Hamoed Sukkos inside the wall, even today when we do not have the Beis Hamikdash, as was the minhag of HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv ZT”L.

The traditional Birchas Kohanim will take place on Wednesday, 18 Tishrei 5769, on the second day of Chol Hamoed Sukkos in Eretz Yisrael.

Shachris: 8:45AM
Birchas Kohanim of Shachris: 9:30AM
Musaf: 10:15AM
Birchas Kohanim of Musaf: 10:30AM

This will be followed by a kabolas panim by Rishon L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Dovid Lau and Rav of the Kosel and Holy Sites, HaRav Shmuel Rabinowitz.

Last year, there was ‘hakafos shneyos’ at the Kosel with musical accompaniment, attracting thousands. This year, the same is planned on motzei Simchas Torah at 10:00PM. One hundred Sifrei Torah will be taken out for participants to dance with.