עברית
Halachot and Customs
Tearing the Garment at the Western Wall
Question
Hello and greetings! I would like to know if there is still an obligation to tear one's garment over the destruction when seeing the Western Wall in our days. If so, why do we not see that the Jewish people practice this, and even great rabbis do not do so (certainly not regularly)? Thank you.
Answer
Hello and greetings.
Even today, there is an obligation to tear (kriah) at the Western Wall. There are several exemptions: residents of Jerusalem are exempt from tearing. On Friday evening and Saturday evening, it is customary not to tear. One who has been at the Western Wall within the last thirty days does not need to tear. If one does not fall into any of these categories, it is customary to give the garments to another person, and that person may prohibit the original owner from tearing the garments that belong to them, thus allowing one to be freed from the obligation to tear.
However, one who comes to the Western Wall infrequently should not look for leniencies regarding tearing and should tear as is proper and according to the law.
Best regards,
Benjamin Shmueli
