Thousands of worshippers packed the Western Wall plaza on the eve of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year.
On the eve of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, thousands recited the traditional penitential prayers, known as slichot, at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Starting with Rosh Hashana, continuing with the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and ending with the week-long Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), the holiday season is a national time for introspection and festivity.
Sephardic Jews begin reciting slichot at the start of the Hebrew month of Elul. Ashkenazim start at the end of the Sabbath that precedes Rosh Hashana.
