Outgoing Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yonah Metzger is calling to install a new mechitzah at the Kosel, a one-way view mechitzah that will permit women to view the male mispallalim but not the reverse, thereby complying with stringent Halacha.

It is being explained the rav decided to act after receiving a growing number of correspondence citing cases of women standing on chairs as they try to view the man’s side, and this he explains does compromise tznius at the Kosel. This is especially true when there is a simcha, such as a bar mitzvah when women wish to see the chosson bar mitzvah.

It appears that the chief rabbi’s suggestion was not received with a smiling face by the Office of the Rabbi of the Kosel and Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, who views the rav’s suggestion as trampling the jurisdiction of the Kosel rav.

The term of the current chief rabbis was extended to June, permitting time for the general elections and to form a government coalition before addressing the election of new chief rabbis.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)