It has already been reported that the Original Women of the Wall (O-WoW) organization does not accept the egalitarian prayer area near the Kosel because they feel their efforts over the past 27 years surround their desire to daven at the Kosel, not elsewhere.
In light of recent government and Supreme Court rulings it appears WoW is stepping up its efforts to claim its place at the women’s section of the Kosel. After the High Court has ruled they man bring a Sefer Torah into the ezras noshim, the organization has announced via internet and social media that it plans to hold a Birchas Kohanos on the first day of Chol Hamoed Pesach.
The traditional Birchas Kohanim is always held on the second day chol hamoed to accommodate visitors from abroad who keep a second day yomtov.
The WoW Facebook message states “On the first day of chol hamoed Pesach, April 24th, we will enter the ezras noshim of the Kosel for Birchas Kohanos, a first time by women. It will mimic the Birchas Kohanim held by the men…”
“While Birchas Kohanos is acceptable in modern Orthodox circles, and women take part in it, women never took part in it at the Kosel. As part of the battle of WoW for equal rights at the Kosel, which has been ongoing for 27 years, this ceremony will present a challenge to the chareidi monopoly vis-à-vis women leading tefilos and becoming religious leaders and Jewish ceremonies”.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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9 Responses
I am a modern Orthodox Jew and I have never heard of this birkat kohanot thing and I don’t know of any modern orthodox circles where birkat kohanot is a thing.
A talmid at yeshivat har etzion.
They already are, HaShem runs the World if HE lets it happen then what, is the thought of the People who want to do the will of HaShem is to do something and if so what being wanting only to do the will of HaShem? A B”H beautiful thought that came to mind Ani HaShem Elokaychem Asher hoztztacy etchem meerets mitzraim lehiot Eloykim Ani HaShem Elokayhem
*Elokaychem EMET why is Ani twice a question i had B”H i was thinking if it’s broken apart HaShem was with Us in the hard times and With Us in the time HE redeems us that could be a day to day thought for me to keep BE”H strong and BE”H We will be redeemed BE”H by night fall
*Lehiot lechem LayLokim …..
R”L!
Might as well ask the Arabs to move downstairs and hold their prayer services at the Kosel. How is this mishigas any different from any other non-Jewish service?
Enough, already!
Aha! “It will mimic the Birchas Kohanim held by the men…” – So they actually admit that their whole campaign is to play at being men!
I guess they never read the Torah that they carry around.
it clearly says AARON AND HIS SONS. NOT DAUGHTERS
How can you quote a wild statement without qualification, that “Birchos Kohanos is acceptable in Modern Orthodox circles”? Does anyone think the Chofetz Chaim held that hotzaas shem ra is muteres toward modern orthodox? I’ve davened in enough modern orthodox shuls from time to time, and the t’fillios aren’t much different from those in charedi shuls – in fact, sometimes they’re more makpid
– on there being no talking during Chazoras Hashatz and Krias haTorah. – and they would never even think of having Birchas Kohanos.