Respecting the Holiness of Prayers at the Western Wall: Notes are Removed Before Passover

In preparation for the upcoming Passover holiday, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation conducted its traditional clearing of prayer notes from the Kotel (the Western Wall) on Wednesday. Tens of thousands of handwritten prayers, placed in the ancient stones over the past six months, were respectfully removed and prepared for burial in accordance with Jewish tradition.

A Sacred Process

The notes were removed under strict halachic (Jewish legal) guidelines, using disposable wooden tools and gloves to preserve both the sanctity of the site and the personal nature of each note. The collection process was overseen by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, who offered a prayer for national unity and for those who had placed their hopes within the Wall’s stones.

Prayer Notes from Across the World – Including Hostile Nations

The Foundation reports that hundreds of prayer notes are submitted online daily, in addition to thousands placed in person by worshipers and tourists throughout the year.

This year, however, marked an extraordinary development: notes were received from individuals in countries with no formal diplomatic ties to Israel—including Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Qatar, Lebanon, and Pakistan. Many of these notes included prayers for peace, reconciliation, and stronger bonds between nations.

Notes were also received from IDF soldiers, wounded individuals, families of hostages, bereaved families, and citizens from around the globe.

Western Wall Prepares for Passover Pilgrimage

The Western Wall is preparing to welcome tens of thousands of visitors during the upcoming Chol HaMoed (intermediate days of Passover), with a lineup of emotional and spiritual events. Chief among them are two ceremonial Birkat Cohanim (Priestly Blessings) scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 17.

This year’s ceremonies will include the participation of freed hostages, families of those still held in Gaza, wounded soldiers, and thousands of worshipers from across the country. The events will be broadcast live on the Western Wall Heritage Foundation’s website, as part of a national initiative for remembrance, strength, and prayer.

• Morning Prayer (Shacharit): 8:45 AM
• First Priestly Blessing: 9:15 AM
• Additional Prayer (Mussaf): 10:15 AM
• Second Priestly Blessing: 10:30 AM
• Prayers for Soldiers, the Wounded, and the Liberation of the Hostages: 10:40 AM
• ‘Greeting One’s Rabbi During the Festival’ Ceremony: 10:45–11:45 AM (April 15 only).

  This phrase refers to a traditional Jewish practice where students or followers visit their rabbi during the pilgrimage festivals (like Passover, Shavuot, or Sukkot) to honor them and receive Torah guidance.

  Watch last year’s Passover special prayer at the Kotel: