In the weeks preceding Yom Teruah (culturally known as Rosh Hashanah) and till Yom Kippur, thousands of Jews from all over the country participate in a unique Jewish ritual called Slichot (Penitential Prayers), derived from the Hebrew word for ‘forgiveness.’
These ‘Ten Days of Awe’ are a time of deep introspection, soul-searching and reflection, when a person examines their life, confesses their sin and repents before God.
While most Jewish services are held during the day or evening, Slichot are held during the quiet hours of the night and morning in synagogues and at the Western Wall.
According to the Zohar, God travels between 18,000 worlds, and during the three last hours of the night, He visits our world – for that reason, Jews pray during the night when God is ‘most near.’
Many Jews and foreigners from every background participate in this powerful and mysterious event – walking the ancient pathways of the Old City in the dark, seeking a spiritual experience.
See: From Hell to High Heaven Is Just a Stroll...
Become a Member
-
Read all member content
Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel.
-
Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel
Connect with Israel, right from your home.
-
Lift up the voice of truth and hope
Support Jerusalem-based Zionist journalism.
Already a member? Login here.
Wow. Thanks for sharing that!
Thanks Oriel, very moving to read.
As a Spirit-filled Gentile, I often visited Jerusalem, and whenever I quietly prayed in the Spirit (in tongues) at the kotel, I was overwhelmed with awe and emotion… and tears.
There is no other place like this on earth.