For the first time in 25 years, Jewish worshippers gathered in daylight to recite the Shacharit morning prayers at Joseph’s Tomb in Shechem. Long restricted to tightly timed nighttime visits under heavy security, the site witnessed hundreds of Israelis praying openly as the sun rose—an event many are calling a historic correction. Coordinated with the approval of Israeli leadership and escorted by the IDF, the expanded access now allows worshippers to remain into the morning hours, marking a significant shift in both policy and presence at one of Israel’s most contested biblical locations.

Leaders involved in the effort described the moment as more than a scheduling change. It was framed as a restoration. For years, Joseph’s Tomb—traditionally identified as the burial place of the biblical patriarch Joseph—has symbolized Jewish connection to the heartland of Samaria, even as access was limited and fragile. Allowing prayers in full daylight signals growing confidence and intent to reestablish a lasting Jewish presence at the site. Participants tied the moment to Scripture, history, and the hope of national renewal rooted in God’s promises to Israel.

SOURCE: Israel National News