Thousands of Jews attended midnight prayer at Jerusalem’s Western Wall starting at midnight Saturday, Sept. 9 running through to the morning of Sunday, Sept. 10, Breitbart reports as part of the Rosh Hashanah festival.

Several Rabbis in attendance also sounded their shofars (trumpets made from animal horns) as part of Rosh Hashanah, which literally means ‘head of the year’ and marks the start of the Jewish New Year.

The festival, which is mentioned in Leviticus 23:23-25, starts the cycle of the Jewish fall festivals that also includes Yon Kippur and Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles).

As part of the 10-day festival celebrating Rosh Hashanah Jews display penitence for their sins.

While Orthodox Jews typically pray three times a day, morning, afternoon and evening, the midnight prayer on the final day of the old year represents people’s anguish for their sins which may keep them from a sound sleep.

Shofar sounding at midnight prayers #selichot #Jerusalem #Israel pic.twitter.com/YZydnL6zLp

— Joel Pollak (@joelpollak) September 9, 2023

This year’s celebration marked the start of year 5884 for Orthodox Jews versus our 2023.

While the celebration includes a time of repentance, it also has a joyous side that is displayed through eating a variety of sweet foods such as apples dipped in honey and jams.

READ: WATCH: Thousands of Jews Attend Midnight Prayers at Western Wall