Western Wall

Women of the Wall use handicapped woman for smuggling attempt

Women of the Wall attempt to use handicapped elderly woman to help them smuggle Torah scroll into Western Wall Plaza, heritage foundation says.

Western Wall reopens after 40 days of restrictions

After 40 days of restrictions under Home Front Command guidelines, the Western Wall plaza returned to full activity today. Thousands of worshippers are already visiting the site for prayer and thanksgiving.

Western Wall Heritage Foundation

'Number of worshippers can be further increased'

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation announced that hundreds of additional worshipers may be allowed to enter the Western Wall plaza if the move is approved.

While public is banned:

Outrage after convicted leader allowed to pray at Western Wall

As thousands of worshippers are blocked from entering Western Wall Plaza due to Home Front Command guidelines, police allow 'Shuvu Banim' leader Eliezer Berland special access to Judaism's holiest site.

Netanyahu:

'Prayer is as important as protests'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the Supreme Court's decision to allow demonstrations in Tel Aviv, noting there are restrictions on prayer at the Western Wall during the Passover holiday.

Police request approval to open Western Wall and Temple Mount

Police presented a plan to the Supreme Court to allow worshippers into the Western Wall and the Temple Mount in small groups of up to 150 people, with immediate evacuation in the event of an alert.

Chief Rabbi David Yosef

“The High Court understands only lawlessness, not security"

Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi David Yosef, again sharply criticized the justices of the High Court during a limited Priestly Blessing ceremony at the Western Wall. “They understand only freedom of protest," he said.

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Western Wall blessing - without public attendance

Traditional Priestly Blessing ceremony to take place Sunday in a limited format, without public participation, due to current security conditions and Home Front Command guidelines, Western Wall Heritage Foundation announces.

Western Wall Rabbi

Why is right to protest more important than right to prayer?

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz appealed to the commander of the Home Front Command with a request to reexamine the restrictions on worshipers entering the Western Wall in light of the High Court decision on protests.

Honor of Jerusalem under fire:

Western Wall Rabbi condemns Iranian fire toward Jerusalem

Rabbi of the Western Wall, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, calls the attacks a “grave act" against sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and urges for calm and the protection of the city’s sanctity.

Thousands of prayer notes removed from Western Wall

Tens of thousands of prayer notes were removed from the stones of the Western Wall ahead of Passover, including prayers from citizens of Iran and other hostile countries.

Ad campaign 'exposes' Reform agenda at Western Wall

Coalition for Jewish Values & Am Echad launch ads highlighting the “larger ideological program" driving the Reform movement’s campaign to have a large section at the Western Wall dedicated for mixed prayer under their auspices.

'Tell the Supreme Court: Enough'

Netanyahu cancels meeting on Western Wall bill

PM Netanyahu instructed the Cabinet Secretary to cancel the meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation that had been scheduled to convene today, amid a dispute over MK Avi Maoz’s Holy Places bill.

The Western Wall ruling:

Defending Jewish identity against Reformism

Heritage Minister Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu issues strong critique of the Reform movement’s stance on Israel and the Supreme Court's recent ruling, highlighting the ongoing battle to protect Jewish identity and the sanctity of the Western Wall. Op-ed.

Chief Rabbi: Supreme Court has no authority over Western Wall

Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Kalman Bar says Western Wall not under Supreme Court's authority, should not become a place of protests and physical altercations.

Riots at the Western Wall

Women of the Wall block main entry and exit from Western Wall plaza, allegedly endangering lives.

Chief Rabbis to Supreme Court

'The Western Wall is not a venue for protests'

In a statement to the Supreme Court, the Chief Rabbis assert that the Western Wall is a synagogue and is subject to halakhic rules that require separation between men and women.

A Parents’ Guide to Celebrating a Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall

Essential planning tips: advance registration, transportation, walking-distance venues, and how to create a seamless, meaningful celebration from the Western Wall to the City of David.

'Let's stop the hatred'

US Justice Dept. Antisemitism Envoy visits Western Wall

Visiting Israel for Holocaust Remembrance Day, Leo Terrell prayed at the Western Wall for peace and an end to rising antisemitism worldwide.

Western Wall stone returned to Jerusalem

Defense Minister Israel Katz orders that a stone from the Western Wall, placed at the Kirya military complex in Tel Aviv, to be transferred to a designated geniza site alongside other Western Wall stones.

Under Western Wall Plaza:

Mikveh from Second Temple Period discovered

Rock-hewn mikveh uncovered in Jerusalem excavations beneath a destruction layer provides evidence of the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem about 2,000 years ago.

Preferential Treatment:

Worshipper at Western Wall arrested due to Women of the Wall

Liba Center claims worshippers were removed and an unwarranted arrest was made on behalf of the Women of the Wall.

Fifth night of Hanukkah at the Western Wall

Rabbis, public figures, and foreign dignitaries participate in the ceremony to light the fifth Hanukkah candle at the Western Wall.

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Fourth Hanukkah Candle Lighting at the Western Wall

The fourth Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony took place at the Western Wall with Rabbis, public figures and representatives of the Israel Police.

Live

Lighting candles for 3rd night of Hanukkah at Western Wall

Bereaved families who lost loved ones in the recent war participate in the lighting of the candles for the third night of Hanukkah at the Western Wall.

'Maccabees of our time'

Netanyahu and Huckabee light candles with IDF troops

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara lit the second Hanukkah candle at the Western Wall with IDF soldiers, praising them as the modern-day Maccabees.

5-ton stone returned to Western Wall

After being displayed for years in the Knesset and at Ben-Gurion Airport, a stone from the Western Wall was returned to its original resting place this evening.

Live

Lighting candles for 2nd night of Hanukkah at Western Wall

At the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the second Hanukkah candle lighting event is taking place with the participation of the Yad Labanim organization and IDF widows and orphans

'A gift beyond measure'

Watch: Captivity survivor lights the Menorah at the Western Wall

Western Wall Plaza hosted the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle, in the presence of dignitaries and with the participation of former captive Segev Kalfon.

Hanukkah menorah arrives at Western Wall ahead of holiday

This year's candlighting ceremonies will be held under the theme, 'And the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with song,' with the participation of captivity survivors.

Provocation at Western Wall

Torah Scroll smuggled through bathroom

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation reports that Reform women smuggled a Torah scroll through the public restrooms, in violation of the regulations and desecrating the sanctity of the scroll.

Before meeting Trump:

Captivity survivor prays at Western Wall

Former hostage Segev Kalfon visits the Western Wall after 738 days in Hamas captivity, and is gifted an ancient artifact of faith and resilience.

Georgia’s Foreign Minister visits Western Wall

Georgia’s Foreign Minister, Maka Bochorishvili, visited the Western Wall, where she prayed and placed a note between the stones.

As his term ends:

Outgoing NYC Mayor Eric Adams in emotional visit to Western Wall

New York City Mayor concludes his historic visit to Israel with a powerful statement at the Western Wall, reaffirming his commitment to Israel and the Jewish people: “I am your brother!”

Live

Second Hakafot at Western Wall, Mercaz Harav Yeshiva

'Second Hakafot' of Simchat Torah for Jews from around the world held in Jerusalem.

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Thousands attend holiday prayers at the Western Wall

Thousands of Jews arrive at the Western Wall for festive Hoshana Rabba prayers, thanking G-d for the hostages' release. Watch.

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Priestly Blessing ceremony begins at the Western Wall

Traditional mass Priestly Blessing ceremony held at Western Wall, with tens of thousands in attendance.

After finalizing hostage deal:

Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner visit Western Wall

US envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Ivanka Trump visited the Western Wall, praying with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch for the hostages’ safe return and lasting peace in the region.

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Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall

First mass Priestly Blessing ceremony begins at the Western Wall, attended by Hamas captivity survivors, families of hostages, and tens of thousands of worshipers.

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Prayer for hostages' return at Western Wall with survivors

Over 100,000 worshippers, including captivity survivors, participate in the central Selichot prayer event at the Western Wall, offering prayers for the safety of soldiers and the return of hostages.

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Central Selichot service at the Western Wall

Tens of thousands of worshippers take part in the central Selichot event at the Western Wall on the eve of Yom Kippur.

At the Western Wall

President Herzog participates in Selichot prayers

President Herzog joins Selichot prayers at the Western Wall and meets with IDF lookouts who survived captivity.

'One moment of light'

Hostage survivor Emily Damari participates in Selichot prayers

Heroic hostage survivor Emily Damari, who endured 471 days in Hamas captivity, shared with 50,000 worshippers at the Western Wall how hearing Selichot prayers during her imprisonment gave her hope.

At the Western Wall:

Over 50,000 attend Selichot and Zohar completion ceremony

Tens of thousands of people attend historic Selichot gathering at the Western Wall, led by Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto.

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50,000 participate in Selichot prayers at Western Wall

The Selichot prayers were dedicated for the return of the hostages and for the safety of IDF soldiers. In a special gesture, President of Argentina participated via video conference.

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Thousands pray for the hostages at the Western Wall

Thousands gather at the Western Wall for Selichot service, praying for the safe return of hostages and offering support to their families and to captivity survivors.

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Over 50,000 attend Selichot prayers at the Western Wall

Over 50,000 attend Selichot prayers at the Western Wall, including Hamas captivity survivor Agam Berger and relatives of murdered hostage Almog Sarusi.

Rubio at Western Wall:

'May peace reign upon this Holy Land and the world'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio opened his visit to Israel with a prayer alongside Prime Minister Netanyahu at the Western Wall.

Marco Rubio to visit Western Wall with Netanyahu on Sunday

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that he will be visiting Jerusalem to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Sunday, including a shared trip to the Western Wall.

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Thousands participate in Selichot prayers at Western Wall

Thousands participated on Thursday night in reciting the Selichot prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem and prayed for the safety of Israel and the return of the hostages.

'I came out strengthened'

The haredi soldier vs. the extremists at the Western Wall

Mendel Roth, a haredi soldier in the Hashmonaim Brigade, arrived at the Western Wall to recite Selichot prayers, where a group of Hasidic boys gathered around him, curious about his military service. Some extremists attempted to distance them and even claimed there is a "halachic ruling to throw him out of the place."

Watch: Heartbreaking 'Kaddish' prayer at the Western Wall

Hundreds of bereaved families from around Israel attend last night of Selichot at the Western Wall to take part in the prayers and draw shared strength.

Watch:

Thousands at Selichot prayers at Western Wall

About 50,000 people participated in the Selichot prayer at the Western Wall and prayed for the return of the hostages, for the safety of the soldiers and the injured, and for peace and security of Israel.

Watch: Tens of thousands attend Selichot prayers at Western Wall

Tens of thousands of Jews attend first Selichot prayer session of the year at the Western Wall, alongside released hostages and relatives of those still held captive in Gaza.

Emotional moment:

Tefillin ceremony at Western Wall honors Holocaust family legacy

At a Western Wall ceremony Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu presents his grandson with tefillin that his own grandfather used every day during the Holocaust, 'to show where we were 85 years ago and where we are now.'

Graffiti removed from Western Wall stones

Israel Antiquities Authority conservators remove red graffiti sprayed on Western Wall stones, condemning the act as a grave offense against a site of immense cultural and religious significance.

Shock in Jerusalem

Western Wall defaced with anti-Israel graffiti

Graffiti reading 'There is a holocaust in Gaza' was sprayed on the Western Wall. Police arrest suspect.

'All who are for G-d - follow me!'

Haredi soldiers end march for beret at Western Wall

Soldiers from first regular-service haredi company, 'Hashmonaim,' end march for beret at Western Wall.

Governor Sanders visits Western Wall with Ambassador Huckabee

Joined by her father, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, Sarah Huckabee-Sanders prayed at the Western Wall, voicing support for Israel and honoring the site’s sacred legacy.

Mike Johnson at the Western Wall:

'May America always stand with Israel'

As the fast of Tisha B’Av drew to a close, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Mr. Mike Johnson, led a delegation of Congress members on a visit to the Western Wall.