From the Liveblog of
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Praying for hostages and soldiers, mass recitation of Shema held at Western Wall
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Before the recitation of the Shema prayer at 5:30 p.m., intended as the largest recitation of the prayer in the history of the Jewish people, Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch leads family members of hostages in reading from Psalms.
The father of hostage Yigal Sarusi recites the prayer for the hostages, followed by former MK and Kibbutz Be’eri resident Haim Jelin, who reads from Psalms.
The sound of young boys’ voices and hundreds of people echo Rabinovitch and Jelin, reciting the familiar words of “Song of the Ascents.”
Sarusi’s father asks everyone to clear their minds, in order to hear the Shema prayer — “Hear O Israel” — that will be recited together.
“Let us think together about the hostages, about our soldiers and the unity of the State of Israel, to open the gates of heaven,” says Sarusi.
Rabinovitch tells everyone to cover their eyes, as he recites the prayer.
Dozens of twisted shofar horns are blown in unison as the hostage family members keep their eyes closed and their heads bowed in prayer.
Rabinovitch continues with the rest of the Shema, adding blessings and prayers that are usually recited only on the High Holidays.
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