From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 15, 2017
New US envoy: I went to Western Wall, prayed for Trump’s success
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleThe new US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, on Monday evening visits the Western Wall to pray for his family and the success of his boss, US President Donald Trump.
“Well, it was a long trip. We’re a bit tired, but we wanted to come straight to the holiest place in the entire Jewish world, the Kotel Hamaaravi, the Western Wall, so we straight came here,” Friedman says in a filmed statement provided by the Embassy, flanked by his wife Tammy and his daughter Talia.
Friedman is greeted at the holy site by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovich, the Western Wall’s rabbi. Rabinovitch reads a Psalm in Hebrew before Friedman approaches and kisses the stones, his eyes closed.
“I had the opportunity to say some prayers,” he says, adding that he prayed for health for his family — and for Donald Trump.
“I prayed for the president, and I wished him success, especially on his upcoming trip. I hope we all wish him success. We hope it’s going to be an amazing trip.”
He also says the Sheheheyanu prayer, a blessing said by Jews when they reach an important milestone.
Friedman is scheduled to hand his letter of credence to President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday morning in Jerusalem, officially taking up the post of US ambassador to Israel. While Friedman owns an apartment in the capital, he is expected to move into the ambassador’s official residence in Herzliya.
— Raphael Ahren
The Times of Israel Community.