Over 50,000 people flocked to the Kosel on Monday morning, the second day of Chol Hamoed in Eretz Yisrael, for Birchas Kohanim.
Due to the great demand, another Birchas Kohanim ceremony will be held on Wednesday morning.
Like every year, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation erected Sukkos at the Kosel plaza for the benefit of the public and one of them has a set of arba minim in it for public use.
Hundreds of police officers, Border Guard officers, and volunteers have been deployed throughout Jerusalem, with an emphasis on the Old City area, to ensure visitors’ safety throughout Sukkos.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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With the overflow crowd outside the plaza, people watching on phones, computers and TV, there were many more than 50,000 taking part. This is the real voice of Eretz Yisrael and Jews throughout the world. Jews who want to be blessed by the Cohanim and be led in prayer by the Chief Rabbinate.
How many of these Kohanim know for sure that they are Kohanim? There has been a safek since Beis Sheni as to the yichus of Kohanim. It doesn’t hurt to duchan or get the first Aliyah but let’s say of Pidyon HaBen would be pasul if the kohen was not an authentic kohen. They are “B’Chezkas Kehuna” nowadays.
In the old days you would have to bring plenty of proof before they let you do the Avodah in the Beis HaMikdash. The number of kohanim is not accurate. I would love to see a YWN article on the subject.