In a historic night of prayer and resilience, over 100,000 worshippers filled Jerusalem’s Western Wall, uniting in powerful Selichot prayers for Israel’s soldiers, hostages, and eternal peace.
Jerusalem witnessed a breathtaking display of Jewish faith and national resilience as more than 100,000 worshippers flooded the Western Wall Plaza and the surrounding Old City overnight for the climactic Selichot prayers ahead of Yom Kippur.
The atmosphere was electrified as Jews from all walks of life — young and old, religious and secular — stood shoulder to shoulder, their voices rising in unison, filling the ancient stones of Jerusalem with timeless pleas for mercy, unity, and the security of Israel.
Among the crowd were former hostages, including Eliya Cohen and his girlfriend Ziv Abud, Omer Shem Tov, Romi Gonen, and Yelena Troufanov, who received a moving, emotional welcome from the massive gathering. Their presence underscored the collective cry of Am Yisrael: a fervent prayer for the safe return of all captives and for those murdered by terror to receive proper Jewish burial rites.
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, led a special prayer alongside Israel’s spiritual leadership. Present were towering figures such as former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, current Sephardi Chief Rabbi David Yosef, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kalman Meir Ber, Rabbi Yaakov Shapira of Mercaz Harav, and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, joined by several government ministers. Together with the throngs of worshippers, they prayed for the safety of IDF soldiers, the healing of Israel’s wounded, and the peace of the Jewish homeland.
The overwhelming turnout spilled far beyond the Western Wall plaza. To accommodate the immense crowds, the Jerusalem Municipality and Jerusalem Development Authority projected the live event onto giant screens at Jaffa Gate and IDF Square, ensuring that the Selichot spirit embraced the entire Old City.
The night’s prayers were not only a spiritual climax but a profound reminder: the Jewish people, united in faith and destiny, remain unbreakable in the face of every challenge.
