The Priestly Blessing ceremony has been held since 1970, during the War of Attrition, initiated by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gefner, a Jerusalem resident who, pained by the reality in Israel at that time, decided to establish the custom. The Priestly Blessing appears in the Torah in the Book of Numbers as a command for the priests to bless the people of Israel. It consists of three verses and is therefore also called the “threefold blessing.”
Those wishing to participate in the ceremony are advised to arrive early, as tens of thousands of people attend throughout the day. It is recommended to leave your vehicles in the Light Rail park-and-ride lots (at Ammunition Hill or Mount Herzl), take the train to the City Hall station, and from there walk a few minutes to the Western Wall.
Accommodation in Jerusalem
Visiting Jerusalem during Passover or Sukkot and planning to attend the Priestly Blessing? Explore the city’s wide range of accommodation options:
The best vacation rentals in the city
Jerusalem’s Restaurants
Looking for something to eat before entering the Old City? The Old City area is full of excellent restaurants that will delight your taste buds.
All restaurants near the Old City
Mamilla restaurants (at the entrance to the Old City)
