Tens of thousands of Israelis thronged to the Western Wall for the Priestly Blessing.
The benediction is given by kohanim, the descendants of Aharon the Priest.
Despite the destruction of the Jewish Temples, the priestly caste give this blessing every day in the land of Israel in individual synagogues. Outside of the Holy Land, kohanim only give it on major holidays.
The event was secured by hundreds of Israeli security personnel.