Rav of the Kosel and Holy Sites Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz Shlita has turned to the attorney general to block the planned Birkas Kohanos on the first day of chol hamoed Pesach in the ezras noshim of the Kosel. Rabbi Rabinowitz views this scheduled event “a provocation” at the holy site and therefore, it should be prohibited.

In light of recent advances achieved by Reform Jewry, Women of the Wall announced Birkas Kohanos for women, to be held in the ezras noshim of the Kosel on the first day of chol hamoed. The traditional Birkas Kohanim on yomtov is held on the second day of chol hamoed since the first day is Yomtov Sheni Shel Galiyos.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)