Western Wall

Over 100,000 celebrate Shavuot at Western Wall Plaza

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation reports that on Shavuot 5786, more than 100,000 people visited the Western Wall Plaza.

Tents to offer refreshments for Western Wall pilgrims

Ahead of traditional Shavuot holiday pilgrimage to Western Wall, Jerusalem sets up tents offering rest and refreshments for pilgrims.

“Provocation"

Women of the Wall sparked unrest at the Western Wall plaza

A group of about 20 women from the "Women of the Wall" movement arrived at the Western Wall square this morning with a Torah scroll, which led to a heated confrontation with worshippers there.

Rav Tzvi Yehudah Kook on the Kotel:

The Kotel - stones with hearts

What is the significance of the Kotel? Why do Jews gather from around the world to pour out their hearts before this ancient wall of stone?

“It shall not happen"

Chief Rabbi David Yosef’s forceful speech at Mercaz HaRav

The Chief Rabbi delivered a scathing speech during the Jerusalem Day event at the Merkaz HaRav yeshiva and attacked the Supreme Court.

From Prayer to Pogrom:

How the Western Wall dispute ignited the 1929 massacres

The lesson of 1929 is not historical trivia. The pattern is painfully familiar. And a historian called the period “Year Zero," because it shattered the remaining illusions of peaceful coexistence. Op-ed.

Watch: Festive Independence Day prayers at the Western Wall

Crowds arrive at Western Wall for festive Independence Day prayers, accompanied by song and dance, led by Rabbi Oury Cherki.

Argentine President at Kotel:

'Here I feel close to God!'

Argentine President Javier Milei concludes his visit to Israel with an emotional prayer at the Western Wall on the eve of Independence Day.

From critical injury to reciting “Yizkor" at the Western Wall

Lt. Col. (res.) Yaki Klein, commander of the “Lions of Samaria" battalion who was critically wounded, was chosen to recite the “Yizkor" memorial prayer at the state ceremony marking the opening of Memorial Day.

Herzog at Western Wall: Fallen soldiers’ legacy is a song of life

President Isaac Herzog honors Israel’s fallen at the Western Wall, invoking unity, sacrifice and the enduring 'song of life' in Memorial Day address.

Israel remembers its fallen

Yom Hazikaron, Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism, begins with a solemn state ceremony at the Western Wall.

Giulio Meotti:

The UN and Western relativists are the allies of Iran's gallows

The scenes are worthy of the Palace of the Absurd, but the venue is called the United Nations instead. Opinion.

“A Paradise on Earth"

Milei’s vision of freedom and faith in the heart of Jerusalem

The President of Argentina arrived on his third official visit to Israel. In keeping with his personal tradition, his first destination immediately after landing was the 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.

Live:

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.

Live:

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.

Watch live:

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.

Watch:

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.

Watch:

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.

Watch:

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.

Watch:

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.

Watch:

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.