MAN HOLDS UP SIGN FOR THE DELIVERER DURING BLESSING AT WAILING WALL, 1999-04-04 (photo)

An ultra-orthodox Jew carrys a sign in Hebrew which translates to "the messenger" or "the deliverer" while walking through a crowd of thousands of Jews gathered at the Wailing Wall, Judiasm's holiest site, as the "Priestly Blessing" gets underway April 4. The Priestly Blessing is performed by the Kohanim who are desendents of the high priests of the biblical temple and takes place only twice a year, during the current Passover holiday and in the Autumn during the Succoth (Tabnernacles) festival. Jerusalem is filled with Christian pilgrims as they celebrate Easter today at the conculsion of Holy Week. Israel is expecting and bracing for millions of visitors to flock to the Holy Land for Millennium celebrations. JWH