Leonard Cohen's Journey to Israel: From Onstage Crisis to Priestly Blessing

Leonard Cohen's Journey to Israel: From Onstage Crisis to Priestly Blessing

Leonard Cohen's connection to Israel goes beyond his famous 1973 visit during the Yom Kippur War. A lesser-known event occurred in 1972 when Cohen and his band performed in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The concerts were marked by drama, with Cohen experiencing an onstage crisis in Jerusalem after taking LSD before the show. Despite the challenges, he returned to deliver a remarkable second half performance. This early encounter with Israel set the stage for Cohen's later return in 2009 for a monumental concert at Ramat Gan Stadium, where he received the Priestly Blessing from a mesmerized audience. The story of Cohen's journey to Israel is a fascinating chapter in the life of the iconic poet and musician.