More than 50,000 worshippers participated last night in the central Selichot service at the Western Wall Plaza, with prayers also broadcast on giant screens and the walls of Jaffa Gate. The evening carried special emotion with the presence of hostage survivor Emily Damari, who endured 471 days in Hamas captivity. She shared: “In the midst of darkness and isolation, I had one moment of light… I managed to hear Selichot from the Kotel. It gave me strength. It gave me hope.” Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz

Selichot (Hebrew for “forgiveness”) are special prayers and poems said before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year and on the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. They ask God for mercy, forgiveness and set the tone for reflection. The prayers are usually said late at night or early in the morning and is often sung or chanted with melodies that evoke humility and hope. 🎥: @shmulivld 📍: Filmed from the Dan Family Aish World Center | aish.com

🎶 Selichot At The Western Wall Before Rosh Hashanah Jews around the world begin saying special Selichot prayers. Sephardim begin at the start of the month of Elul. Ashkenazim began after Shabbat this week. In Israel, countless people join services at the Kotel, the Western Wall, as they ask for a sweet new year. | Chabad.org