Western Wall Plaza to be split into capsules for 'slihot'

Up to 10,000 worshipers will be allowed into the Western Wall plaza at a time, divided into capsules in accordance with coronavirus guidelines, for slichot services.

Western Wall on the first day after COVID-19 lockdown is lifted  (photo credit: WESTERN WALL HERITAGE FOUNDATION)
Western Wall on the first day after COVID-19 lockdown is lifted
(photo credit: WESTERN WALL HERITAGE FOUNDATION)

The Western Wall Plaza has been divided into capsules for the slihot penitential prayers leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Worshipers are required to wear masks and obey the Health Ministry’s coronavirus guidelines. Up to 10,000 worshipers will be allowed into the plaza at a time and be divided into the capsules.

Worshipers should arrive early in the evening and also during the early days of the slihot period instead of just at the end to avoid overcrowding and to protect the health and safety of all visitors, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation said in a press release.

 A Jewish worshipper blows a Shofar as he takes part in Slichot at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, 2017 (credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)
A Jewish worshipper blows a Shofar as he takes part in Slichot at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, 2017 (credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)

If overcrowding occurs, the entries to the Old City and the Western Wall Western Wall will be closed, it said.

All of the slihot services will be livestreamed at www.thekotel.org.

Slichot services will be held starting at midnight on Thursday, 18 Elul, August 26, 2021