Black Friday is Now! Don’t miss out on up to 60% OFF InvestingProCLAIM SALE

Passover blessing at Western Wall downsized due to coronavirus

Published 2020-04-12, 05:04 a/m
© Reuters. Jewish worshippers pray at Western Wall on Passover amid COVID-19 outbreak in Jerusalem's Old City

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Ten Jewish worshippers wearing face masks prayed at the Western Wall on Sunday at a special "Priestly Blessing" during the holiday of Passover, an event usually attended by thousands.

Because of coronavirus restrictions banning large public gatherings the group maintained social distancing at the holy site in Jerusalem's walled Old City.

U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman was among the group attending on Sunday.

"Last year I was among 100,000; this year, unfortunately, far less," Friedman wrote on Twitter. "I will pray that the world is spared further illness or sorrow from COVID-19 or otherwise."

The blessing is carried out by members of the Jewish priestly caste, known as "Kohanim" in Hebrew.

Holding prayer shawls above their heads and covering their faces, they chanted the blessing, starting with: "The Lord blesses you and keeps you".

Kohanim are thought to be descended from the line of the biblical Aaron and are often referred to as Jewish priests because of their prominent role in worship in Judaism's ancient Temples in Jerusalem.

The ceremony is held during the Jewish holidays of Passover and Sukkot.

The Western Wall abuts the sacred compound known to Jews as Har ha-Bayit, or Temple Mount, and to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, or The Noble Sanctuary.

© Reuters. A combination picture shows Jewish worshippers taking part in the priestly blessing during the holiday of Passover at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City

The holiest place where Jews are allowed to pray in Jerusalem, it was built more than 2,000 years ago by Herod the Great.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.