Kol Chai correspondent Yisrael Cohen reported on Sunday, 12 Adar I that while the egalitarian prayer area near the Kosel has been approved, there is an increasingly audible voice of opposition among rabbonim amid concerns if the matter comes before the Supreme Court, the outcome will most likely be worse.

Most chareidi MKs insist the current arrangement is the least of the evils available today, warning if the matter does go the Supreme Court, the result may be an egalitarian prayer section at the Kosel itself.

Interestingly, Kikar Shabbos News reports that during a session of the Chief Rabbinate Council, based on minutes of that meeting, Kosel Rav Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz during a meeting of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Council in 2013 stated that Women of the Wall (WoW) are not acting contrary to halacha”. The report adds person close to Rabbi Rabinowitz report they are not familiar with such statements, adding the rabbi continues working against the “Chilul Kodesh” to the best of his abilities to preserve the sanctity of the Kosel.

Kol Chai Radio host Mordechai Lavi spoke with the Chief Rabbi of the Gilo neighborhood of Yerushalayim and a former Posek for the city’s religious council, HaGaon HaRav Eliyahu Schlesinger shlita. Rabbi Schlesinger explains that while technically Halacha does not forbid women from putting on tefilin, Shulchan Aruch does and Chazal instruct us if they do, we must protest (מוחים). He explains when such a term is used, we understand they should refrain from this act.

Rabbi Schlesinger adds that this is also minhag yisrael and this is the tradition that has been observed throughout the generations. “We are to protest when a woman wears tefilin, a kippa and tzitzis. Halacha teaches us how a woman is to cover her head and this the Reform and Conservative do not do, despite being more serious. In addition, there is tradition. We see the noshim tzidkoniyus of the past and how they acted as an example and they did not wear tefilin or tzitzis.

Even if a woman does this in the privacy of her home one must still protest but in actuality, little can be done. So much so in public and to create a provocation as the case is regarding the women at the Kosel. There is the same mitzvah to protest against mixed davening” stated the rabbi, adding it is also a matter of cleanliness and we know certain times a woman should not kiss a Sefer Torah. There is minhag and if Chazal says to protest, we must understand there is a reason.

Kol Chai: Lavi

Didn’t some women wear tefilin?

R’ Schlesinger

David HaMelech’s wife we learn did but this was an exception. Bottom line there were many holy women in the past whose entire existence was to be MeKadesh Shem Shomayim and did not wear tefilin. Here these women, who don’t cover their hair which is a Torah prohibition, there cannot be a comparison and clearly they actions are not motivated by a sincere desire for Avodas Hashem.

Perhaps we should build them a Kosel in Tel Aviv, perhaps at Dizengoff Square. This might serve their needs just fine.

The problem of Reform and Conservative is they are simply trying to uproot traditional Judaism. Some of their practices are closer to Christianity, not Yiddishkheit. The reason there was a compromise here is to avoid going to the High Court, which will make things worse.

Lavi then interviewed Rabbi Yuval Cherlow, Rosh Yeshivat Hesder Orot Shaul, asking him to comment on the matter and Rabbi Schlesinger’s remarks.

R’ Cherlow (synopsis)

On the one hand, anyone who believes this will be an end to problem is naïve, for in fact, the solution is just the beginning of the problem. What is going to happen during a state ceremony. The paratroopers as you know have their swearing-in at the Kosel too. Others will begin making news demands to implement change at the Kosel. This solution will not bring peace but the situation will worsen.

We also say “Ata Echad, V’Shimcha Echad…and here we will be dividing into different camps. There will be a division that will also result in damage to the machane as there will be signs to the men’s women’s and mixed sections.

Lavi

How can you be siding with chareidim now as often this is not the case?

R’ Cherlow

One of the differences between the chareidim and the dati leumi camps is the former is usually pragmatic and the latter ideological. One such example is the decision to permit Yaakov Litzman to become Minister of Health when he could no longer continue serving as a deputy.

Lavi

I don’t think this is a good comparison for this is not a matter of religion/halacha and there was no real prohibition.

R’ Cherlow

Actually I think it is an excellent one but I can give you another since there are many. What about the fact when the chareidim do not get satisfaction they take their case to the secular courts? This without a doubt presents a halachic issue but yet it is done, once again showing their pragmatic side.

I am not saying this to be politically correct for I wrote this ten years ago. I am simply trying to make the point.

Many feel the Women of the Wall should have been ignored as was done for so many years. They came once monthly and did their thing, albeit only women, and now it will be with recognition and in a mixed forum so things are getting worse, not better.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)