Français
Español
English
Portuguese
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, who oversees the Western Wall and holy sites, led the service before the massive crowd of worshippers.
Thousands gathered at the Western Wall late Monday for pre-holiday prayers, joined by hostage families and freed captives in an emotional appeal for divine intervention to end a crisis now stretching 690 days.
Among those present was Keith Siegel, a freed Hamas captive who used the solemn Selichot service to deliver a direct video message to President Trump from Judaism’s holiest site.
“President Trump, I am standing here in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, the holiest place on earth for the Jewish people, the Western Wall, where tens of thousands of people have gathered tonight to pray for the safe return of all of the hostages, the hostages that are alive, the deceased hostages,” Siegel said.
“I trust that you can reach an agreement that will bring all of the 50 hostages home as soon as possible. Thank you.”
Siegel was joined by fellow former captive Yelena Trupanob and families of those still held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, who oversees the Western Wall and holy sites, led the service before the massive crowd of worshippers.
During his prayers, Rabinowitz asked for God’s help in returning hostages to their families, bringing fallen soldiers home for burial, healing the wounded, and protecting Israel’s military and security forces.
He also prayed for peace and security for the nation.
Selichot prayers traditionally precede Yom Kippur during the Hebrew month of Elul and continue through the Ten Days of Repentance in early Tishrei.
These special prayers, woven from biblical verses, liturgical passages and poems, express remorse for sins while pleading for divine forgiveness.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
