What a week!
Kossel
Birchat Kohanim Attracts Kotel Crowds
The annual Birchat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing
at the Kotel, the Western Wall, on Chol HaMoed Sukkot,
is known to attract large crowds.
Entering the Old City by way of the Jaffa Gate the crowds looked normal,
with the plaza all ready for a large Sukkot holiday fair.
The Muslim Shuk was set for the Jewish crowd, with talitot for sale
and there was even an Israeli flag on display.
I started out late, and was surprised to find that
the route to the security entrance was not the one I usually take.
The crowd grew and waited very impatiently;
there was nearly a riot as security personnel would let no one in.
It was very hot, uncomfortable and impossible to move,
then the crushing crowd surged forward and pushed everyone along.
Inside the plaza area I saw the regular crowded holiday scenes,
with people as far as you could see, both to the right
and to the left.
The Kotel, the Western Wall is usually packed with people on Sukkot,
and certainly for the Birchat Kohanim.
This year,
there were people watching
from rooftops,
stairwells and small passages.
There seemed to be fewer kohanim
with arms raised and covered by white talitot, but
there were hundreds of raised arms taking photos on their cellphones.
After the blessing, the trick was to find a way to leave,
again pushing through the crowds.
At least this man found some solitude
in the sukkah on the roof of Aish HaTorah.
.
Regular folks grabbed whatever spot they could,
while others slowly proceeded out to the Jewish Quarter.
I thought that I was finished with the crowds, but then I went to Beit Hanasi
for the Israeli President’s annual open sukkah.
Wow, was I wrong–but those photos
will have to wait for later, as there are more crowds
again on the streets for the Jerusalem Parade.
Whatever estimates you see quoted for this year’s Birchat Kohanim,
they will have to be low if they do not include the thousands
who were outside the plaza area and unable to get in.
Moadim L’Simcha !
10 Favorite Signs of Erev Yom Kippur in Jerusalem
In the fall holiday season,
Yom Kippur quickly follows Rosh Hashanah and then comes Sukkot.
The signs of the season are everywhere, but here are 10 of my favorites.
1. It seems almost everywhere one can see
mountains of pomegranates,
the seeds can be eaten plain or in my favorite – a chocolate-almond tart.
2. Cars are loaded with food, as there are many meals to prepare.
3. Cars decorated before a wedding are common sights.
With all he holidays, the days for weddings are limited, but not the
enthusiasm of these young men driving to the Kotel, the Western Wall.
4. Crowds of tourists mingle with bar mitzvah celebrants at the Kotel.
5. It is hard to find a spot to place a note this time of year,
where they are overflowing before being cleaned out.
6. Strange looking structures start to appear,
even in the fanciest of neighborhoods, as plain wood sukkot fill balconies.
‘Tis the season to get in shape.
7. This man was spotted trying to carry two heavy bags,
each containing long bamboo poles to top a sukkah.
8. White is the color of choice for Yom Kippur – this kippah a new favorite.
9. The United Jerusalem guy is back in Mamilla Mall with a new shirt.
10. And finally, I loved seeing this sign.
Tonight there are special Erev Yom Kippur prayers
in Kikar Safra, Safra Square. Where else
will you hear the songs of the Yom Kippur service on the radio
and in the courtyard of City Hall?
The country will come to a standstill as public transportation
and all traffic stops on Yom Kippur,
but the decorations for Sukkot
have been out on the Jerusalem, Israel streets for weeks.
As soon as break-the-fast meal is over, the sound of hammers will be heard
and it’s time to get ready for the Sukkot holiday week.
Gmar Chatimah tovah
May all be sealed for a good year.