Posted on 04/10/25
Jerusalem, Israel - April 10, 2025 - Traditional Birkat Kohanim ceremonies will take place on two separate dates • Rabbis' Reception to take place on Tuesday • Tens of thousands expected to visit the Western Wall Tunnels • Thorough chametz inspections conducted across all sites • Full details on access and transportation to the Western Wall during Passover
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation has completed its preparations to welcome the tens of thousands of worshippers expected to visit the Western Wall during the upcoming Passover holiday.
As part of the preparations, all sites in the Western Wall Plaza and the Western Wall Tunnels were thoroughly cleaned. This evening (Thursday), a meticulous chametz inspection was conducted by the Foundation's cleaning and operations teams, as is customary each year.
Extensive preparations are underway for the traditional Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) ceremonies, which will be held this year on two occasions in the presence of the chief rabbis of Israel, the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, the mayor of Jerusalem, and a large crowd:
Tuesday | 17 Nisan 5785 | April 15, 2025
Thursday | 19 Nisan 5785 | April 17, 2025
* Shacharit: 8:45 AM
* First Birkat Kohanim (Shacharit): 9:15 AM
* Mussaf: 10:15 AM
* Second Birkat Kohanim (Mussaf): 10:30 AM
* Special Prayer for the Return of the Hostages, the Wellbeing of Soldiers and Security Forces, Healing of the Wounded, and Peace for the People of Israel: 10:45 AM
Among those expected to attend are hostages recently released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, families of hostages still held by Hamas, and IDF soldiers wounded during the Iron Swords war.
Additionally, the Rabbis' Reception will take place this year immediately after Birkat Kohanim on Tuesday, with the participation of the chief rabbis of Israel and the rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites. Thousands of worshippers come to receive holiday blessings from the rabbis.
Please note that on Shabbat (April 12), the eve of the holiday, and throughout the holiday itself, Kiddush Rabba and Seudah Shlishit (usually provided for the public on Shabbat) will not be served, except for grape juice for Kiddush, and water.
The Birkat Kohanim events will be broadcast live on the Western Wall Heritage Foundation’s website:
www.thekotel.org
Live broadcast and satellite link information:
Tuesday broadcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHFbo3UmoTI
Thursday broadcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3J-aDSy588
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Traffic and Access Arrangements to the Western Wall During Passover:
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation and the Jerusalem Municipality, in cooperation with the Ministry of Transportation, have arranged dedicated transportation lines to the Western Wall to ease traffic and ensure safe and convenient access for visitors during Chol HaMoed (the intermediate days of Passover):
* Bus lines 1 and 3 from Ramot, Ramat Shlomo, Neve Yaakov, Har Nof, Givat Shaul, and Bayit Vagan will operate Monday–Thursday during Chol HaMoed with departures at 17:00, 18:00, 19:00, and 20:00. On the evenings after the first and seventh days of Passover (April 13 and 19), there will be an additional departure at 21:00.
* Line 111 (Teddy – Central Bus Station – Western Wall) will operate after the first holiday night from 21:00–01:00, Monday–Thursday from 5:00–01:00, and before the second holiday night from 5:00–16:30.
* Line 333 (Ramot Junction – Atirot Mada – Western Wall) will operate after the first holiday night from 21:00–02:00, Monday–Thursday from 5:30–02:00, and before the second holiday night from 5:30–16:30. This line connects to intercity lines at Atirot Mada and Ramot Junction.
* Line 38A will start and end at the Mount Zion parking lot without entering the Jewish Quarter.
* Line 2 service will be canceled during Chol HaMoed.
* Public transportation to Jerusalem and the Western Wall will operate throughout the night during Chol HaMoed via lines 1 and 3, and Israel Railways (according to the train schedule).
During the holiday (April 13–18, 2025), the Old City will be closed to private vehicles, including the following routes: the Old City bypass road, Ma’aleh HaShalom, Jaffa Gate, Gethsemane–Ophel Road, Rockefeller, and Sultan Suleiman.
Park-and-Ride lots will be available to the public at Pisgat Ze’ev, Nahal Tzofim (Givat HaMivtar Light Rail Station), and Mount Herzl.
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* Crowd control is under the responsibility of the Israel Police. Please follow police instructions.
* Visitors are asked to cooperate with ushers for the safety of all those at the Western Wall.
* Please follow updates and instructions as they are released.
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