The traditional Birchas Kohanim will take place this morning, Wednesday, 18 Tishrei 5769, 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

High-ranking Israel Police officials were out early, inspecting the Kosel and Har Habayis areas ahead of the arrival of tens of thousands of mispallalim and visitors. Special precautions are in place to ensure the security of all the visitors as well as to accommodate the large number of people coming to the Old City during Sukkos. This includes the closure of the Old City to all non-resident and emergency vehicles.

Among the officials taking part in the early-morning police briefing were Police Commissioner Roni Alshich, the Jerusalem district commander and the department’s Chief Rabbi.

עשרות אלפי אנשים הגיעו היום לרחבת הכותל המערבי, על מנת לקחת חלק בברכת הכהנים. כמדי שנה, שוטרי משטרת ישראל נערכו מבעוד מועד באזור על מנת לשמור על שלומם וביטחונם pic.twitter.com/rKp9dMNIhY

— משטרת ישראל (@IL_police) September 26, 2018

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)