Watch: Thousands gather for Priestly Blessing at Western Wall

Close to 80,000 people attended the special prayer service.

By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFF

APRIL 13, 2017 14:20

Priestly blessing at the Western Wall (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM) — Priestly blessing at the Western Wall

(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

Thousands of Jews gathered at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Thursday to attend a special 'Priestly Blessing' prayer on the holiday of Passover.

According to Israel Police, close to 80,000 people were estimated to have been in attendance at the Western Wall plaza for the event.

Jewish worshippers recite Passover prayers at Jerusalem"s Western Wall (credit: REUTERS)

The prayer is held twice a year, during the Jewish holidays of Passover and Sukkot.

Kohanim, or priests, lead the prayers chanting three consecutive verses of the Torah, one word at a time, in a special recitation dating back to the First Temple period.

Considered Judaism's holiest site, the Western Wall is a remnant of the compound of the Second Jewish Temple built by King Herod the Great, which was destroyed in 70 AD.