Tens of thousands of Jews gathered at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Monday to attend a mass prayer for the holiday of Passover.
The traditional Birkat Kohanim (priestly blessing) prayer is said daily in synagogues throughout Israel and on holidays abroad. It is said en masse at the Western Wall twice a year, during the holidays of Passover and Sukkot, and draws crowds of Jewish worshippers from Israel and around the world.
The ceremony sees male descendants of the priestly caste gather to bestow a biblical benediction, as described in Numbers 6:23-27. It involves the raising of hands to perform the blessing, with those conducting the blessing wrapped in prayer shawls, and those receiving the blessing averting their eyes.
Monday's ceremony was held under heavy police guard. The Jerusalem District Police said that a large contingent of officers was deployed in and around the city to ensure public safety.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, his son and grandson, were among the hundreds who gave the blessing.
Following the ceremony, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau and Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef joined Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch to host a reception at the site.
