Selichot Prayers at Western Wall Mark Start of Elul Month

Adon Haslichot at the Kotel (Photo: Westen Wall Heritage Foundation)

Thousands of worshippers gathered at the Western Wall plaza in Jerusalem on Saturday night for the first Slichot service of the year, marking the beginning of Elul — the Hebrew month of repentance that precedes the High Holidays. The annual gathering, held on the first Saturday night after the start of Elul, drew crowds from across Israel to Judaism's holiest accessible site.

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, led emotional prayers for the unity of the Jewish people, the safety of Israel Defense Forces soldiers and security personnel, and the security of the State of Israel. The prayers rose from the ancient stones as worshippers sought divine mercy and forgiveness in advance of the approaching Days of Awe — Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Nineteen major Slichot gatherings are scheduled at the Western Wall throughout Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Each service will feature a chazan, sound amplification, and large screens positioned around the plaza to enable the entire crowd to participate in the prayers.

Vlowing the shofar at the Kotel (Video: The Western Wall Heritage Foundation)

The next major Selichot service at the Western Wall is scheduled for early Friday morning, the 7th of Elul, beginning at 12:15 a.m. Thousands are again expected to attend.

The Western Wall Selichot gatherings have become a deeply rooted tradition particularly among Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews, who begin reciting Selichot from the first day of Elul — earlier than the Ashkenazi custom of starting closer to Rosh Hashanah.