Search Results for “kosel” – Page 2

NEXT LEVEL DEFILEMENT: Woman Detained At Kosel After Inappropriate Act

February 12, 2023 12:30 pm 28 Comments

On Sunday, a 35-year-old woman entered the Kosel dressed in such a disrespectful and inappropriate way – the likes of which have never seen before at the holiest Jewish site on the globe. The woman, who is a resident of Jerusalem’s city center, was immediately detained by police officers on suspicion of purposely disrespecting a holy place. She was transferred for questioning. HaRav Shmuel Rabinowitz, the Rav of the Kosel and Mekomos HaKedoshim expressed his deep shock and pain at the “despicable provocation” and emphasized the importance of keeping the site unifying and free from controversy. The incident also brought to light a proposed bill by the Shas party last week that would make it a criminal offense to wear non-tznius clothing or play musical instruments at the Kosel. The proposed bill was met with outrage, with even some Chareidim decrying the bill. The Kikar H’Shabbat website published an article condemning the law, saying it would simply increase the chillul of the Kosel by fueling further provocative protests and giving progressive groups ammunition for “unlimited power throughout the world.” However, Justice Minister Yariv Levin assured the public that the Shas bill would not be on the Cabinet Committee on Legislation’s agenda when it meets. YWN notes that it would be interesting to see what the outcome would be if this woman did this despicable stunt on the Har Habyis (at the Al Aqsa Mosque). (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Public Tefillah At Kosel For Refuah Of Ir Dovid Terror Victim

January 31, 2023 12:30 pm 1 Comment

The paratrooper officer who neutralized the Ir Dovid terrorist with two bullets lodged in his body has taken a turn for the worse. His family has asked the public to participate in a public tefillah at the Kosel on Tuesday evening, Arutz Sheva reported. “During the last Shabbos, our beloved friend Nadav Chaim ben Orit Chaya was seriously injured in an attack in Ir Dovid while he was fighting and protecting his family and thwarting greater harm. Nadav is ventilated and sedated and his condition is still serious,” said his friend Avraham Oz. “At the request of the family, tonight we will hold a central prayer at the Kosel at 10:00 p.m. We ask those who can make an effort to come and bring more people with them, and with Hashem’s help we will soon see geulah and yeshuah.” The public is asked to daven for the refuah sheleimah of Nadav Chaim ben Orit Chaya b’toch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

WATCH: Netanyahu and Wife Visit Kosel to Mark Being Sworn-In as Prime Minister

January 1, 2023 9:30 pm 6 Comments

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara on Sunday evening visited the Kosel along with Kosel Chief Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz and Western Wall Heritage Foundation Director Mordechai Eliav, to mark the swearing-in of Israel’s 37th government. Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “I just wrote in the book: ‘The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.’ (הנה לא ינום ולא יישן שומר ישראל). I have summarized the two continuing actions that I have taken upon myself both yesterday and today.” “We will continue to do this on behalf of the citizens of Israel, the State of Israel and the Land of Israel,” he proclaimed. “I must say that I am also moved this time as well, to accept the position and lead the State of Israel.” “I have come here, the quarry from which we were shaped, to touch the stones of the Kosel, and to remember that we are charged with the obligation of safeguarding the heritage of generations and ensuring our future for the coming generations as well, and this we will do.”

Benny Gantz Is Verbally Attacked At The Kosel After Chanukah Licht

December 21, 2022 12:45 pm 7 Comments

Outgoing Defense Minister Benny Gantz was verbally attacked by a right-wing activist as he left the hadlakah ceremony for the third Chanukah licht at the Kosel on Tuesday evening. Gantz had lit the candles together with a frum minister in his party, Chili Tropper, As he left the ceremony, accompanied by Migdal HeEmek Rav, HaRav Yitzchak Dovid Grossman, a right-wing activist screamed loudly at him: “Gantz, you should be ashamed that you said that there’s room in Yerushalayim for two capitals! Go away from here! Go home, Gantz!” The attack was condemned by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation as well as by UTJ chairman Yitzchak Goldknopf, who stated: “I condemn the vicious attack against Minister Benny Gantz at the Kosel. The Kosel belongs to every Jew…it is forbidden to publicly humiliate any person, and certainly someone who devotes his life to the State of Israel.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Chanukah Preparation At The Kosel: 6.5 Foot Menorah Placed In Kosel Plaza

December 13, 2022 9:30 pm No Comments

The traditional large Chanukah menorah was placed in the Kosel plaza on Tuesday morning. The menorah is made entirely of bronze, its height is over 6.5 feet [two meters] and it is estimated to weigh about a ton. Beginning on the first night of Chanukah, on Sunday, December 18, there will be a central candle lighting ceremony every evening of Chanukah at the Kosel plaza at 4:30 p.m. On Friday, the lighting will take place at 3:40 p.m. and on Motzei Shabbos at 7 p.m. The lighting ceremony will be broadcast live via the Kosel cameras on the website of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Name Added For HaGaon HaRav Shimon Badani At Atzeret Tefilah At Kosel

November 23, 2022 10:57 am 1 Comment

Fervent tefillos have been taking place in yeshivos, shuls and heichelei Torah across Israel for HaGaon HaRav Shimon Badani, the head of the Moetzet Chachmei Torah, who was hospitalized on Monday night in very serious condition after he lost consciousness and was successfully resuscitated. HaRav Badani is currently sedated and ventilated and is being treated in the ICU of Mayanei HaYeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak. His condition took a turn for the worse on Wednesday and he is in great need of rachamei Shamyaim. HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein has called to the public to daven for the refuah of HaRav Badani. The Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah called to the public on Tuesday evening to gather at the Kosel on Wednesday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Kislev for an atzeret tefillah for HaRav Badani’s refuah. The tefillah took place at 3:30 pm. at the Kosel plaza with the participation of HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, HaChacham Nissim Ben-Shimon, HaGaon HaRav Reuven Elbaz, HaGaon HaRav Dovid Yosef, and the Kosel Rav, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Rabinowitz. The public is asked to daven for the refuah sheleimah of HaRav Rafael Shimon ben Chavivah b’toch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

VIDEOS & PHOTOS: At Least 50,000 Daven At The Kosel On Hoshanah Rabba

October 16, 2022 12:08 pm 3 Comments

More than 50,000 people gathered at the Kosel on Hoshana Rabah Sukkos 2022 with their lulavim, esrogim, and hoshanos as they get in their final tefilos before the last day of yom tov. Below are videos and photos: Video via Kuvien Images Photos by Y. HaLevi / Kuvien Images

WATCH: 50,000 Attend Birchas Kohanim At The Kosel

October 12, 2022 10:30 am 1 Comment

A record crowd of about 50,000 people gathered at the Kosel on Wednesday morning, Chol Hamoed Sukkos, for Birchas Kohanim. Shacharis began at 8:45 a.m., Mussaf was at 10:15 a.m. and Birchas Kohanim was at 10:30 a.m. This is the 52nd year that the Birchas Kohanim ceremony took place at the Kosel. It was originally founded by HaRav HaGaon Menachem Mendel Gefner, z’tl, and has been organized for years by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Tens of Thousands Attend Slichos at Kosel Erev Yom Kippur [PHOTOS & VIDEO]

October 3, 2022 8:20 pm No Comments

Tens of thousands of people packed into the Kosel plaza on Monday night for Erev Yom Kippur slichos, as authorities announced that more than a million people had come to the Kosel over the course of Elul. In attendance at the slichos Monday night were some of the leading rabbanim in Eretz Yisroel, including Harav Yitzchok Yosef shlit”a, Harav Dovid Lau shlit”a, and Harav Shmuel Rabinowitz shlit”a, as well as other well known individuals, including Yerushalayim Mayor Moshe Lyon, Western Wall Heritage Foundation president Mordechai Eliav, and others. The slichos began with Rabbi Rabinowitz telling the assemble: “With this slichos, we will daven for peace between one another. We will daven that we will always be able to see maalas chavereinu v’lo chesronam, we will daven that we will be connected to each other and belong to each other in unity, in brotherhood, in love.” “We should be mekabel on ourselves the mitzvah of ahavas chinam, ahavas am Yisroel, ahavas Eretz Yisroel, and ahavas Toras Yisroel.” (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

WATCH: Over 20,000 Attend 1st Main Selichos At Kosel

September 9, 2022 8:15 am 1 Comment

Over 20,000 mispallelim attended Selichos at the Kosel on Thursday night at 12:30 a.m. It was the first of the 14 main Selichos that will be held at the Kosel this year. Due to the great demand, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation requested that the public come early to Selichos and not wait until the final ones before Rosh Hashanah in order to spread out the crowds and maintain the safety of mispallelim. Last week, a routine safety inspection of the Kosel stones was carried out with a special crane in preparation for the huge crowds expected during Elul and Tishrei. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

TERROR IN JERUSALEM: 7 Shot On Bus Near Kosel, 2 In Serious Condition

August 13, 2022 9:14 pm 4 Comments

Seven people were injured after a terrorist opened fire at a bus in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sunday morning. It happened at around 1:30AM near Kever David Hamelech in the Old City. Police report that the terrorist opened fire at a bus which was letting people on. The terrorist then ran to a nearby paring lot and opened fire. A total of seven people were struck by the gunfire. Police immediately locked down the Old City, forcing hundreds of people to stay at the Kosel. Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah volunteers treated the victims and transported them to the hospital. Two of them are in serious condition. A massive manhunt is underway for the terrorist who managed to flee the area.

This Shabbos: Enjoy A Sit-Down Shalosh Seudos At The Kosel

July 13, 2022 8:30 pm 4 Comments

After a successful pilot run this past Shabbos, a sit-down Shalosh Seudos will be available for mispallelim at the Kosel each week, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation announced on Wednesday. In recent years, volunteers have offered basic food, including challah and dips, for Shalosh Seudos, but there was no seating available. Additionally, the food was often not sufficient for those who wanted it. The foundation decided to take the initiative to solve the problem, and with the help of generous donors, arranged for an organized Shalosh Seudos to be served to anyone interested. Beginning this upcoming Shabbos, visitors to the Kosel can enjoy challah, salads, dips and fish served on tables at separate complexes for men and women. [It is unknown if family-style seating will be available.] The men’s complex will be located on the roof of the Beis Strauss building and the women’s complex will be on the porch of the Beis Moreshes HaKosel building. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

DCity’s Best-Kept Secret: An Insanely Affordable Luxury Sukkos Vacation, Just 5 Miles from the Kosel

June 30, 2022 11:30 am No Comments

DCity, Israel’s newest and biggest design mall, has now opened its luxury boutique DHotel, just in time for Sukkos. Located just 15 minutes away from Jerusalem in one direction and 15 minutes away from the Dead Sea in the opposite direction, the DHotel offers families an unforgettable Sukkos vacation with the best of all worlds – and at an affordable, introductory price you won’t find anywhere else. The DHotel has 47 beautifully decorated rooms and suites with various options to accommodate families. Boasting a magnificent shul and spacious dining room, it’s the perfect setting for family occasions such as bar mitzvahs, sheva brachos, anniversaries and more. In honor of the grand opening, the DHotel is offering a 10-day Sukkos package, including gourmet meals, activities and a full entertainment program, for the introductory price of just $6,950 per couple. Now, you too can enjoy a luxury vacation with all the amenities, within five miles of the Kosel and the Old City, on the premises of the DCity home-décor mall. Known as Israel’s City of Design, DCity features 200 stores with every possible home-decorating and furnishing need, from big-ticket items such as furniture, kitchens and appliances to textiles, gadgets and hard-to-access hardware. “Choosing all the elements of a home can be an exhausting and time-consuming process, all the more so for foreign residents who try to get everything done in a few days,” said Penina Revach, CEO. “DCity is a one-stop solution for all home design needs.” The DHotel Yom Tov package includes free entry to the adjacent Magic Kass park, the largest indoor amusement park in Israel, as well as a full roster of activities and entertainment for the whole family. This Chol Hamo’ed, you will be able to stroll through the Italy-inspired, indoor-outdoor DCity mall and enjoy the excellent selection of top Mehadrin restaurants while you soak up the festive atmosphere in the gorgeous Piazza and throughout the area. Each day features a packed program with something for everyone — light shows, street musicians and performances, as well as famous singers and superstar Lipa Schmeltzer. The luxury boutique DHotel has only 47 rooms, and Sukkos bookings are going fast. Reserve your place today, while all the options are still available. For more information click here: Dhotel

Unprecedented Violation Of Kosel: Sefer Torah & Yair Lapid Sign

June 30, 2022 8:30 am 6 Comments

The Women of the Wall group shamelessly turned their monthly “prayer” session into an unprecedented violation of the Kosel’s kedusha on Thursday morning, Rosh Chodesh Tammuz. The women turned the Kosel plaza into a protest site – singing and dancing around a woman holding a Sefer Torah aloft while displaying a large sign stating: “Prime Minister Lapid – implement the Kosel plan!” The protest lacked any basis in reality as not only will Lapid’s power as prime minister be extremely limited due to the laws binding an interim government, but in addition, the coalition lacks a majority to pass any laws – especially a controversial one. “The Western Wall Heritage Foundation expressed its pain at the crossing of red lines once again and the execution of an actual protest at the heart of the Kosel plaza, in a manner unprecedented in its offensiveness,” a spokesperson for the foundation stated. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Ivanka Trump, Kushner Visit The Kosel With Their Kids

June 23, 2022 9:17 am 5 Comments

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were seen visiting the Kosel on Wednesday with their children. The family landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on Monday morning. There have been no reports on the reason for their visit but it’s possible that it’s a combination family trip/business visit. The Wall Street Journal reported in May that Kushner founded a private equity fund that is investing millions of dollars from Saudi Arabia into Israeli tech companies. חתנו ובתו של הנשיא לשעבר טראמפ הגיעו לביקור פרטי בכותל ולאחר תפילה הטמינו פתק עם בקשות אישיות. @Yoni_Kempinski pic.twitter.com/clikgbIf47 — ערוץ 7 (@arutz7heb) June 22, 2022 (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

BDE: R’ Dovid Cohen, Z’l Davened At The Kosel On Shabbos, Collapsed & Died

June 19, 2022 4:30 pm 5 Comments

R’ Dovid Cohen, z’l, a resident of the Geulah neighborhood of Yerushalayim, passed away suddenly over Shabbos at the age of 60. R’ Cohen, z’tl, was in the middle of davening Shacharis of Shabbos at the Kosel when he suddenly collapsed. Paramedics who were called to the scene carried out resuscitation techniques and rushed him to the hospital but unfortunately, doctors could do nothing but declare his death. The niftar was known among the regular mispallelim at the Kosel as he would daven at the Kosel each and every morning without exception. An acquaintance told Kikar H’Shabbat that HaRav Dovid, z’l, was moser nefesh to bring coffee and pastries every morning to distribute to the mispallelim and those attending shiurim at the Kosel. “He respected every Jew for who he was,” he said. “He assisted needy families with tzedaka, always quietly and pleasantly.” Yehi Zichro Baruch. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

WATCH: Hundreds Sing & Dance At Kosel As Shavuos Ends

June 6, 2022 9:13 pm No Comments

Hundreds of Jews at the Kosel sang and danced together as Chag Matan Torah came to an end on Sunday evening. Over 50,000 Jews visited the Kosel over the two days of Shabbos and Shavuos, with the peak, about 12,000 people, at Shacharis at Vasikin on Shavuos morning. The number of visitors to the Kosel this year was the highest in years, according to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

The Kosel and Yerushalayim – Being Makir Tov to Hashem

May 29, 2022 5:42 am 9 Comments

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5TJT.com 55 years ago, something remarkable happened. It happened for the very first time in nearly two millennium. What was it? *****If anyone can help sponsor a Bar Mitzvah for a child whose parents have no resources – please contact the author at [email protected] ************************ The Kosel and Har Habayis came back under Jewish control. Yerushalayim. 1967 was very special. The people of Eretz Yisroel defended her against attackers that wished to annihilate her at every border. It is special not because we captured the eastern half of yerushalayim. But because Hashem gave her back to use and freed her. It is a very essential difference. That reunification was the culmination of the tefilos of our bubbies and zeidies for two thousand years – something that our ancestors could only dream of. For the previous 19 years before 1867, we American Jews could only access the Kosel as Americans, flying to Amman, Jordan, on an American passport. After 1967, we could visit the Kosel once again through Eretz Yisroel. And the Jews of Eretz Yisroel could not visit at all. Yerushalayim was once as remote as the stars in the sky to the victims of the Crusades. To the victims of Rindfleish massacres, and to the victims of the Chmelnieki Massacres of tach vetat. Indeed, even to the victims of the pogroms of Europe and to the victims of Auschwitz and Treblinka, she was unimaginable. But now, we have her and we must feel that sense of hakaras hatov to Hashem yisarach that seems, of late, to be a bit lacking. We must continuously fulfill the words of the navi Yishayahu (62:1), “Lemaan tzion lo echesheh, ulemaan yerushalayim lo eshkot!” MASHIV HARUACH Rav Mordechai Gifter zt”l used to say that we must all focus on the fact that when Chazal enacted the addition of, “Mashiv haruach omorid hagashem” they did it to correlate with the weather of Eretz Yisroel instead of the individual patterns in all of the far flung places in which Klal Yisroel ended up. They did so in order that we would always remember her. Imagine a farmer in a far off land. He needs rain. He adds it in his prayers, but not for the location where he is located. The prayer for rain is for the needs of Eretz Yisroel! Why? So that Eretz Yisroel and Yerushalayim will never be forgotten. DOVID HAMELECH Dovid HaMelech said it best in Tehillim (137:5-6): “If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, let me forget my right hand. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you. If I do not set Yerushalayim at my highest aspirations of joy.” In these words, Dovid HaMelech is pointing out the two tell-tale signs of a stroke. He is essentially saying that he should have a stroke if he does not remember Yerushalayim. The world should dare not tell us to forget Yerushalayim in light of these words of King David. The Bible tells us that G-d has said, “Yerushalayim is the city where I have chosen to place My Name (Kings I 11:36).” Indeed, Yerushalayim is mentioned throughout TaNaCh some 650 times and not once, l’havdil in the Koran. SYNONYMOUS WITH THE JEWISH PEOPLE Indeed, Yerushalayim is actually synonymous with

Public Tefillah At The Kosel For Rebbetzin Lau On Tuesday

April 25, 2022 4:30 pm No Comments

A public tefillah for the refuah of the Rebbetzin of Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Lau is being held at the Kosel on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The tzibur is requested to join and those who cannot travel to the Kosel are asked to daven from home. Rebbetzin Lau suffered a stroke over Pesach and is now hospitalized in critical condition in Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah. The name for tefillah is is Feiga Tzipporah bas Hadassah l’refuah sheleima b’toch shaar cholei Yisrael. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

VIDEOS & PHOTOS: Thousands Attend Birchas Kohanim At Kosel

April 18, 2022 5:05 am No Comments

Thousands attended the 51st annual Birchas Kohanim at the Kosel on Monday morning, the second day of Chol Hamoed Pesach. Security was noticeably extra tight, following a day of Palestinian attacks against Jews in the Old City and on buses heading to the Kosel. There were no incidents reported. This year, there will be a second Birchas Kohanim on Wednesday morning. Following the Birchas Kohanim today, Israel Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Hagaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef led thousands in Kabolas Ol Malchus Shomayim. VIDEOS & PHOTOS BELOW VIA JOE E. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

SEE THE VIDEOS: Palestinians Stone 10 Buses Buses Heading To Kosel, 7 Injured

April 17, 2022 8:05 pm 5 Comments

Palestinians stones approximately 10 buses heading to the Kosel on Sunday morning, the first day of Chol Hamoed. The attacks, which occurred over a two hour period, took place near Lions’ Gate. Video footage showed people hiding on the floors of the bus, as Palestinians smashed bus windows, terrorizing the packed passengers. Seven passengers suffered light injuries and were treated by Magen David Adom and United Hatzalah volunteers, before being transported to Shaare Zedek Medical Center. A few arrests were made. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

WATCH: Palestinians Attack Chareidim Walking To Kosel On Chol Hamoed

April 17, 2022 8:00 pm 2 Comments

A group of Chareidm wearing Talleisim making their way to the Kosel were attacked and beaten by a group of Palestinians on Sunday, the first day of Chol Hamoed. Video footage posted below shows the vicious attack. The group was walking through one of the alleys of the Old City when they were punched, kicked and had large objects thrown at them. Bichasdei Hashem, the group were not seriously hurt, and didn’t require medical attention. As many as 20 Palestinians took part in the attack. Police made two arrests. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

WATCH: Former US VP Mike Pence Visits The Kosel

March 8, 2022 4:00 pm 1 Comment

Former US vice president Mike Pence, who is on a three-day trip to Israel, visited the Kosel on Tuesday. Pence was accompanied by the Rav of the Kosel, HaRav Shmuel Rabinowitz, and the chairman of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mordechai Soli Eliav. Pence, whose visit is thought to be part of his groundwork for a possible 2024 presidential run, met with Israeli President Issac Herzog prior to his visit to the Kosel and with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett afterward. Welcome back to Jerusalem, former U.S. Vice President @Mike_Pence and your wife Karen! Thank you for your friendship and support and for always standing with Israel. 🇮🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/w7bm3kNF5x — יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) March 8, 2022 Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met today with former US Vice President @Mike_Pence at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem. They discussed the nuclear agreement and its implications, as well as the situation in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/XBDE2EsQiA — Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 8, 2022 In an interview with Yisrael Hayom on Monday, Pence said: “It’s inconceivable that at the same time that Putin is committing atrocities in Ukraine, the Biden administration is working with him closely in order to end the sanctions against Iran. It would be terrible to do this even during peacetime but definitely now.” According to a Newsmax report on Monday, Pence’s political advocacy group launched a $10 million television ad campaign criticizing President Joe Biden and Democrats over the invasion of Ukraine. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

WATCH: Porush Blows Shofar In Knesset In Protest Of Reform MK’s Violation Of The Kosel

March 6, 2022 2:30 pm 2 Comments

UTJ MK Meir Porush on Sunday morning carried out a one-man protest against Reform Rabbi MK Gilad Kariv (Labor) for violating the kedusha of the Kosel on Friday. Porush, who carried out the same type of protest in October, entered the room where a meeting of the Knesset’s Consitution and Law Committee was taking place, which is headed by Kariv, and began reciting Tehillim in a loud voice. As Porush continued, Kariv adjourned the meeting for 15 minutes. Porush said: “You bothered us, we’ll bother you.” After he finished reciting Tehillim, Porush blew the shofar and left the room. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Thousands Of Girls At Kosel, Reform MK Brings Sefer Torah Into Women’s Section

March 4, 2022 8:45 am 14 Comments

On the instructions of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky and HaGaon Harav Gershon Edelstein, thousands of frum high-school girls went to the Kosel for Rosh Chodesh Shacharis on Friday morning in order to completely fill the plaza, preventing the Women of the Wall group members from holding their provocative service there. Reform MK Gilad Kariv (Labor) pulled his usual antics of joining the Women of the Wall group, taking advantage of his parliamentary immunity to bring Sifrei Torah to the group, which is forbidden by Israeli law. Due to the large crowd, the Women of the Wall members were prevented from their original plan to hold their services in at the Kosel plaza itself rather than the egalitarian area, which was specially designated for them. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

DISGRACING THE KOSEL: Reform MK Breaks Promise, Joins Women Of Wall, Woman Violates Sefer Torah

February 2, 2022 4:00 pm 24 Comments

Labor MK Gilad Kariv broke his promise to President Yitchak Herzog and came to the Kosel together with the Women of the Wall on Wednesday morning for Shacharis of Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph. One woman in the group smuggled a Sefer Torah into the women’s section by hiding it underneath her clothing, in complete violation of its kedushah, a move decried by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which called it a “horrific and severe chillul hakodesh opposite the avnei kodesh.” “A small group of Reform women of Women of the Wall headed by MK Gilad Kariv arrived at the Kosel plaza and dug in their heels in their battle, like they declared last week that their goal is to come and demonstrate at the Kosel on their world view regarding the nature of religion in the state of Israel,” the foundation stated. “Unfortunately MK Kariv chose to attend this event despite President Herzog’s appeal to him because his presence stirs things up and turns the Kosel plaza into a battlefield.” “The group violently broke out of the area designated for them, again violating all the agreements reached with them by the president and the Justice Ministry. The group acted violently against Orthodox mispallelos and pushed them in order to reach the Kosel.” Blue and White MK Alon Tal also attended the Women of the Wall’s demonstration. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

DISGRACING THE KOSEL: Rosh Chodesh Provocation: In A First, Women Of The Wall Bring Men Into Ezras Nashim

January 3, 2022 2:00 pm 37 Comments

As they do every month, a group of Women of the Wall members arrived at the Kosel on Monday morning for Shacharis of Rosh Chodesh Shevat and disturbed the tefillos of thousands of mispallelim. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation slammed the group, stating that “the group decided to leave the designated area set aside for them, thereby violating their commitment to the President of the state and disturbing the public order at the Kosel plaza.” The Foundation also slammed the “entry of men from the Women of the Wall group into the Ezras Nashim, something that harms the kedusha of the Kosel and is unprecedented.” Oren Henig, the director of Mercaz Liba, excoriated the behavior of the group, stating: “Men, led by Yizhar Hess, who serves as the deputy director of the Histadrut HaTzionit, joined the ‘provocative women’…and brazenly entered the Ezras Nashim, in complete violation of the law and regulations.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Rachmanim Bnei Rachmanim: Israeli Judge Ignores Police, Fines Kosel Beggar NIS 18

December 30, 2021 8:00 am 3 Comments

An Israeli judge ruled that a 48-year-old Israeli man who collects tzedaka at the Kosel must pay a fine of only NIS 18. The police had filed five indictments against the beggar over the past three years. According to a Ynet report, the police stated during the court hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court that the man can collect tzedaka outside the Kosel, at Kever Rochel, at Me’aras Hamachpeila, or any other place he wishes – just not at the Kosel plaza itself. The police requested that the court impose a suspended jail sentence and a fine of NIS 5,000 but the beggar counterclaimed that “the Kosel is the place that generally opens many people’s hearts, it’s unlike any other place.” He also told the judge that he had a difficult childhood and has failed in finding any proper employment. At the end of the hearing, Judge Dovid Shaul Gabai Richter ruled that the beggar pay a fine of NIS 18 and a collateral payment of NIS 3,000 that he won’t commit the offenses he was indicted for over the next year. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Reform MK, Diaspora Minister Promise To Continue Kosel Plan Battle

December 13, 2021 8:30 pm 2 Comments

Labor MK and Reform Rabbi Gilad Kariv said on Sunday that Religious Affairs Minister Matan Kahana doesn’t have the authority to abandon the Kosel Compromise Plan following the report on Sunday that Kahana and Bennett made a decision to freeze the plan. “The Kotel compromise was discussed directly with the president along with the prime minister and his office,” Kariv said in a statement. “The issue is not at all within Minister Kahana’s domain. As stated to the Supreme Court several days ago, the current government is committed to the process of establishing an egalitarian and state-owned tefillah plaza at the Kotel.” “A clear majority of Knesset members from the coalition and the opposition support the plan,” Kariv claimed. “We will stand by its advancement without playing into the hands of those who use incitement and hate speech for short-term political gains.” Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai, who chose to light the first Chanukah licht at the empty egalitarian section of the Kosel, also issued a statement in response to the report. “A government that wants to last is first and foremost advised to respect coalition agreements,” Shai said. “The government of Israel will continue to strive for the implementation of the Kotel compromise. As long as Labor is in the government, we will work toward equality for all streams of Judaism. This issue is far from the responsibility of Kahana’s office, and rightly so,” Shai asserted. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

‘We’re Not Touching It’: Bennett & Kahana Freeze Kosel Compromise Plan

December 12, 2021 8:00 pm 4 Comments

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Religious Affairs Minister Matan Kahana have decided to indefinitely freeze the implementation of the Kosel Compromise Plan, which would have partially ceded control of the Kosel to Reform groups, Times of Israel reported on Sunday morning. According to the report, Kahana told his aides over the weekend, “we have decided to not deal with this now, period. The Kotel compromise has become a focus for incitement and hatred, especially by people from Likud, who are latching onto it. We cannot play into their hands. We’re freezing everything at the moment. We’re not touching it.” The Kosel Plan was included in the coalition agreements signed in June and the left-wing members of the government have been pushing for the plan’s fulfillment. On the other hand, at least two members of the coalition are opposed to the plan, including Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ze’ev Elkin (New Hope) and Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked (Yamina). Even Kahana made comments last month that seemed to retract his support for the Kosel Plan. “The vast majority of Jews in Eretz Yisrael are Orthodox Jews,” Kahana said in an interview with Kan News. “I don’t think that we need to allow other streams to run the Kosel. We can reach an agreement without ceding control of the Kosel to a fringe group.” The real reason that the plan is being dropped is that Bennett fears the consequences of implementing a controversial plan over which the Chareidim have vowed to take to the streets in the thousands rather than allow it to be actualized. And unlike the giyur reform plan, which is a top priority for the real boss of the government – Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman – no coalition members have vowed to break up the government if the Kosel Plan is not implemented. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

German Leader Speaks At Chanukah Event For Holocaust Survivors At Kosel

December 1, 2021 6:00 pm 1 Comment

Several dozen Holocaust survivors marked the third night of Hanukkah on Tuesday with a menorah-lighting ceremony at Jerusalem’s Western Wall that paid tribute to them and the 6 million Jews killed by the Nazis. The candle-lighting was organized by the Jewish Claims Conference at the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City, the holiest place where Jews can pray. It was accompanied by an online event featuring a statement by Jewish, Israeli and German leaders. German chancellor-designate Olaf Scholz said in a video statement in German that his country “will continue to do everything we can to protect Jewish citizens in the future and to counter all antisemitism. We will fight darkness with light.” “Today, Jewish life is once again enriching our society. Israel and Germany are close partners. We must not put these precious gifts at risk,” he said. Israel was established in 1948 in the wake of the Holocaust as a refuge for Jews from around the world and is home to an aging population of around 175,000 survivors. The Claims Conference says it is providing financial support for over 260,000 survivors worldwide. Colette Avital, chair of the Center of Organizations of Holocaust Survivors in Israel, said in a statement that this Hanukkah “we celebrate again, the miracle of our long history of survival in the face of adversity, the persecutions, the expulsions, the humiliations, the pogroms, and finally, the worst tragedy of our times, the Holocaust.” (AP)

Gedolei HaDor On Upcoming Reformed Kosel Plan: “Each Person Must Fight This Disgrace”

November 30, 2021 8:00 am 5 Comments

In an extremely sharply worded letter against the Bennett government’s religious “reforms” and its intent to implement the Kosel Plan, granting formal recognition to the Reform movement, HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky and HaGoan HaRav Gershon Edelstein called on each member of Klal Yisrael to “do everything they can to prevent this disgrace.” The letter, entitled “ופרצו חומות מגדלי” states: “[Regarding] the terrible report that people of Jewish descent are taking steps to wipe out everything kodesh in Yisrael, and after their efforts to destroy the walls of kashrus and giyur, they’re still not satisfied and want to harm the remnant of our Beis Hamikdash, the Kosel HaMaaravi, from where the Shechina has never left.” “We hereby vehemently protest against the intention to desecrate the kedusha of the Kosel by giving [the Reform] a physical space and recognizing those who destroy religion, rachmana latzlan, who wish to uproot everything and desecrate Shem Shamayim, chas v’chalilah.” “And each person should do everything possible to prevent this disgrace in this kodesh place, and to be mechazeik in Torah and tefillah in order that we’re zocheh to the prevention of Chillul Hashem and the speedy arrival of Moshiach Tzidkeinu.” UTJ chairman Moshe Gafni said on Monday that “if Gilad Kariv intends to come to the Kosel on Rosh Chodesh, we’ll be there to stop him with our bodies. We won’t allow him to desecrate the Jewish nation’s most kodesh place.” On Rosh Chodesh Kislev, a confrontation between Kariv and religious MKs was prevented at the last minute through the intervention of President Yitzchak Herzog. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

CHASDEI HASHEM: Survivor of Deadly Yerushalayim Terror Attack Returns to the Kosel to Thank Hashem [VIDEO]

November 25, 2021 8:45 am 1 Comment

Rabbi Zev Katzenelbogen, who was moderately injured after being shot by a Palestinian terrorist firing a machine gun at innocent people in Yerushalayim’s Old City on Sunday, returned to the Kosel today to thank Hashem for sparing his life. “What I went through this week… is a tremendous neis,” Rabbi Katzenelbogen says in a video taken at the Kosel. He explained that he had gone to daven at the Kosel on Sunday morning, and was returning – while still wearing his tefillin – when the terrorist opened fire at him, striking his tefillin shel yad and exiting through his arm. He went on to say that while we are sometimes faced with painful challenges, we cannot forget that Hashem loving embrace of us is always there, both in joyous times and in moments of pain. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Kahana Expresses Opposition To The Kosel Compromise Plan

November 21, 2021 10:00 pm 1 Comment

In an indication that the coalition fears that the Kosel Compromise Plan may shatter the government, Religious Affairs Minister Matan Kahana made comments on Motzei Shabbos that seem to retract his support for the plan. “The vast majority of Jews in Eretz Yisrael are Orthodox Jews,” Kahana said in an interview with Kan News. “I don’t think that we need to allow other streams to run the Kosel. We can reach an agreement without ceding control of the Kosel to a fringe group.” Reform Rabbi MK Gilad Kariv (Labor) responded angrily to Kahana’s words, saying: “The time has come that Kahana stop acting in accordance with the incitement of the Chareidi parties, Smotrich, and Ben-Gvir, but in accordance with the spirit of the government and its basic agreements. The Kosel Plan is a compromise plan that was previously supported by Prime Minister Bennett and it should be implemented quickly.” However, Bennett apparently realizes that the implementation of the Kosel Compromise Plan could bring down his government, and he, like Kariv, places the blame on Chareidim and other religious groups. In a statement last week, he wrote that “the Kosel is being used for a planned political campaign, for which much money was raised, with the goal of dismantling the government. Maybe it will catch on but the damage will be tremendous.” Several days later, a member of Bennett’s coalition, Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ze’ev Elkin, (New Hope) said that he is opposed to the Kosel Compromise Plan, explaining that the Kosel must remain under the supervision of the State and the Jewish Agency. Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked (Yamina) has also expressed opposition to the plan. During her recent trip to the US, she met with representatives of the American Zionist Movement and the Association of Reform Zionists of America. When asked for her opinion of the Kosel Plan, Shaded responded that she is adamantly opposed to changing the status quo at the site. “The Kosel must remain as it is – it’s the most kodesh place for Jews and that’s how it should remain,” she said, adding that “those who want to behave in a way not in accordance with the accepted tradition at the site should get used to the situation.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

1 Dead, 4 Wounded: Terrorist Opens Fire With Submachine Gun Near Kosel

November 21, 2021 3:06 am 5 Comments

A shooting attack took place near the Kosel on Sunday morning at about 9 a.m., killing one civilian, seriously and lightly wounding two other civilian, and lightly wounding two police officers. The terrorist, who was later identified as a Hamas member, shot at passerby and police officers with a submachine gun at Sha’ar HaShalshelet (Chain Gate) in the Old City of Jerusalem. He was shot and killed by nearby Border Police officers, who found a knife in his possession as well. In a dramatic video of the scene, gunfire is heard, followed by a voice screaming “Hatzilu” (help) and another burst of gunfire. The victims, who ranged from lightly to critically wounded, were evacuated to Hadassah Ein Kerem, Hadassah Har HaTzofim and Shaare Tzedek hospitals in Jerusalem. Unfortunately, one of the victims that was critically injured was pronounced dead upon reaching the hospital. At the request of his wife, the public is asked to daven for the refuah sheleimah of the victim who suffered multiple gunshots and is seriously wounded with life-threatening injuries. Please daven for HaRav Aharon Yehuda Ben Tova b’toch sha’ar cholei Yisrael. Another victim was later identified as Reb Ze’ev Katzenellebogen, 46, a resident of the Jewish Quarter. He later told Channel 13 News: “I was leaving Shacharis, still wrapped in my tallis and tefillin. I heard gunshots and chaos. I didn’t realize what was going on and then I felt a sharp pain in my arm right at the place of my tefillin. I understand what a great neis I experienced. I could have lost my life in a second.” The public is asked to daven for his full recovery: Reb Dovid Ze’ev ben Yehudis Perel b’toch shaar cholei Yisrael. תמונה אחת שווה אלף מילים לא משנה מה יספרו לכם ומה יסבירו ואיך ינמקו, הסכסוך שלנו כאן הוא סכסוך דתי. ה"חטא" שלנו הוא שאנחנו יהודים. https://t.co/TED8pvypYr — אברהם גרינצייג (@avigrin10) November 21, 2021 The terrorist was later identified by Palestinian media as Hamas member Fabi Abu Shkhaydam, 42, a resident of Shuafat and a teacher of religious studies at an Israeli-Arab school in the Old City. According to Public Security Minister Omar Bar-Lev, the attack was planned well in advance. “The terrorist was a member of Hamas’ political branch who prayed every day in the Old City,” Bar-Lev said. “He used standard weapons that aren’t commonly available in Israel and his wife escaped abroad three days ago.” The terrorist’s children are also abroad. Below is a video of the terrorist delivering a speech on Friday: Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai said that the terrorist was known to the police for his criminal activities but was not considered a terror threat. However, since the terrorist was known to be a member of Hamas and was recognized by the police for his criminal activity, the fact that he was teaching at a school recognized by the Education Ministry and the Jerusalem Municipality seems to have been a severe security lapse. Hamas in Gaza giving out candy to celebrate a Hamas terrorist shooting attack against Israeli civilians in Jerusalem – @nurityohanan pic.twitter.com/oBX4P1dQLa — Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) November 21, 2021 (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

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