US Ambassador David Friedman discusses his participation in the “exciting” Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall and the violent Hamas demonstrations at the Gaza-Israel border.
Twice a year – on the interim days of Passover and Sukkot, known as Chol Ha’Moed – a mass Birkat Kohanim (Priestly Blessing) is held at the Kotel, the Western Wall, in the Old City of Jerusalem, attended by tens of thousands from Israel and around the world.
At the moving event, hundreds of Kohanim, descendants of the biblical Aaron and members of the priestly tribe, recite the three-verse blessing (Numbers 6:24-26): May the Lord bless you and protect you; May the Lord shine His countenance upon you and be graciousness to you; May the Lord shine His Countenance on you and grant you peace.”
US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, a Kohen, participated in the event. In this video, Friedman discusses the experience, which he said was especially exciting since President Donald Trump has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. He also offers his perspective on the violent Hamas protests and the IDF’s response to the threat at Israel’s border.