Half a million worshippers have attended Selichot prayers at Western Wall

Over half a million worshippers have attended Selichot prayers at the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem since the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul (August 14), according to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. On Thursday night alone, 50,000 people filled the plaza, necessitating broadcasts on giant screens along the Old City walls and at Jaffa Gate due to overcrowding. The gatherings have included Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, government ministers, and former hostage Bar Kuperstein. Rabbi Rabinowitz prayed for the well-being of IDF soldiers, security forces, and for Israel's unity and security. Selichot prayers, which consist of biblical verses and liturgical passages, convey remorse and appeal for divine forgiveness, and will continue through the eve of Yom Kippur on September 20.