Rabbis, worshipers at Western Wall pray for Trump's recovery from virus

Chief rabbis attend traditional priestly blessing service at Old City site as supplication made on behalf of US president stricken with coronavirus

During a traditional Sukkot prayer gathering at the Western Wall on Monday, a special prayer was made for the recovery of US President Donald Trump, who has fallen ill with the coronavirus.

The prayer was made during the so-called Priestly Blessing service, which is held at the holy site in the Old City of Jerusalem on the third day of both the Sukkot and Passover festivals.

Due to the pandemic, this year’s service was greatly reduced in numbers from the tens of thousands who usually attend, although the two chief rabbis of Israel were in attendance, as were Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.

As he led the proceedings, Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch announced that a mi sheberach — an invocation of divine blessings — would be said for Trump, who last Friday tested positive for COVID-19 along with First Lady Melania Trump, and who is currently hospitalized for treatment.

Rabinovitch recited the prayer, asking that a “speedy recovery from heaven” be sent for “Donald John, son of Fred.”

'מי שברך' לחולה דונאלד ג'ון בן פרד טראמפ▶️ https://t.co/dtxP4nHrn9

— ערוץ 7 (@arutz7heb) October 5, 2020

Trump’s medical team has said he continues to improve and could soon be returned to the White House, which has the facilities to treat and isolate the president.

The president was flown to Walter Reed Medical Center with a high fever on Friday after a “rapid progression” of his illness, with his oxygen levels dropping worryingly low, Trump’s physician Sean Conley said in a Sunday briefing.