It is absolutely forbidden to ascend or enter Har HaBayit in our times. The reason is that the Beit HaMikdash was built in precise areas of extreme holiness, including the Kodesh HaKodashim and other sacred zones, where entry is strictly prohibited without the proper state of ritual purity. Since today we are all considered tamei ritually impure. It is impossible to determine with certainty which areas are permitted and which are forbidden.

When visiting the Kotel, a person must approach with awe and reverence, for it is not merely a historical site but a place imbued with holiness. Our Sages teach that the Shechinah never departed from the Western Wall, and therefore it must be treated with the same respect as a Beit HaKnesset—and, in many ways, even more so. Out of this awareness, one should refrain from eating, drinking, or engaging in idle chatter in its vicinity, just as one would in a synagogue.

How Often Does One Tear Keriah When Seeing The Kotel? One is only obligated to tear his clothing if he has not seen the Kotel/Makom HaMikdash within the past thirty days.

May one touch a Torah Scroll? It is forbidden to touch the klaf (parchment) of a Sefer Torah with bare hands, even if the contact is only momentary. The common custom is to touch the torah with a tallit when needed.

What Does The Congregation Do During Hagbahah? During Hagbah, it is customary for the entire congregation to look at the script of the Sefer Torah as it is lifted and turned for all to see. At that moment, everyone should recite the verse: "וזאת התורה אשר שם משה לפני בני ישראל"—“This is the Torah that Moshe placed before the Children of Israel”

Who Should Do Hagbahah? The honor of performing Hagbahah (the lifting of the Sefer Torah after the reading) is considered extremely significant. Our Rabbis and poskim emphasize that the spiritual reward for Hagbahah is immense, to the point that it is said to be equal to the combined reward of all those who received aliyot to the Torah that day. 

During Hagbah, the Sefer Torah should ideally be opened wide enough so that three columns of text are visible. However, this depends on the strength of the Magbiyah (the one performing Hagbah). If he is strong, he may open it wider than three columns; if he is weaker, he may open it less. In Sephardic communities, the custom is simply to open the Sefer Torah as much as it naturally opens generally about one full column and this is considered to fully fulfill the requirement.

What is Hagbahah? There is a special mitzvah when taking out the Sefer Torah for Kriyat HaTorah to open it and show it to the entire congregation. This is based on the principle of exalting and honoring the Torah, allowing the community to see the sacred text and be inspired by its presence.

What are some customs when taking out the torah from the Hechal (ark)? The common custom is to recite Barich Shemei while the Sefer Torah is being removed from the Aron Kodesh.

Peticha is the honor of opening the Aron (Ark) and handing the Sefer Torah to the Shaliach Tzibur or to the individual designated to carry it. It is considered a significant kavod and is not automatically assigned to the Shaliach Tzibur.

I heard a Kohen can’t give a beracha if he’s in a dispute with a fellow is that true? If there is unresolved hatred, tension, or animosity between a Kohen and members of the congregation, the Kohen is required to leave the room before the blessing of Retzeh in the Amidah. This is because Birkat Kohanim must be recited be’ahavah, with love and sincere affection toward the people.

What is the proper behavior of a congregation during Birkat Cohanim? Because there is an opinion that the Yisraelim also fulfill a mitzvah by receiving the beracha, one who is present in the Shul when the Cohanim are called up should not leave until after Birkat Cohanim has been completed. Even if one has already heard Birkat Cohanim earlier that day, it is still considered improper to leave the Shul at the time the Cohanim ascend to give the blessing.

When is Birkat Cohanim said? Birkat Cohanim is recited during Shacharit, Musaf, and Ne'ilah. However, it is not performed during Mincha. The reason for this is a halachic concern that a Cohen might have consumed wine earlier in the day, and a Cohen who is even slightly intoxicated is forbidden from performing Birkat Cohanim, as it requires a state of clarity and purity.

The Mitzvah of Birkat Kohanim is a biblical commandment (Deorayta) and applies in all places and at all times—even today. It originates from the verse, "דַּבֵּר אֶל-אַהֲרֹן וְאֶל-בָּנָיו לֵאמֹר, כֹּה תְבָרְכוּ אֶת-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל: אָמוֹר, לָהֶם" — “Speak to Aharon and his sons, saying: This is how you shall bless the Children of Israel.”

What are the halachic guidelines for behavior during Chazarat Hashatz? May one learn during Chazarat Hashatz?Those who are meticulous to fulfill the mitzvah of wearing both Tefillin of Rashi and Tefillin of Rabbenu Tam should be careful not to remove their Rashi Tefillin and put on the Rabbenu Tam Tefillin during Chazarat Hashatz. [1] This is because Chazarat Hashatz requires complete attention and participation, and any form of distraction or interruption even for a mitzvah.

When the Shaliach Tzibbur recites the Chazarat HaShatz, the congregation is obligated to listen attentively and respond with "Amen" at the conclusion of each beracha. This communal response is not merely ceremonial; it is an essential part of the tefillah. If there is no minyan of individuals responding "Amen," the berachot recited by the Shaliach Tzibbur may be considered close to berachot levatalah, blessings said in vain.

Why do we repeat the Shemonah Esrei after the silent amidah? Originally, this enactment was instituted to assist individuals who were unable to pray on their own—either because they lacked the necessary knowledge or the ability to read the prayers properly. The repetition allowed them to fulfill their obligation by listening attentively and answering “Amen” to each blessing.

Why do we say "Hashem, sefatai tiftach u’fi yagid tehilatecha" before Shemoneh Esrei? The verse “Hashem, sefatai tiftach u’fi yagid tehilatecha” (“Hashem, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise” – Tehillim 51:17) was instituted to be said immediately before beginning the Shemoneh Esrei. This pasuk serves not only as a beautiful introduction, asking Hashem to help us speak His praise properly, but also carries a deeper meaning.

What does one do if one isn't sure if they prayed Shemoneh Esrei? If one is uncertain whether they already recited Shemoneh Esrei, they should pray again, but with a conditional stipulation making it a tefillat nedavah (voluntary prayer). The wording of this stipulation is: “If I am obligated to pray, let this prayer fulfill my obligation. If I am not obligated, let it be considered a voluntary offering”. In this case, one does not need to include a new personal request or id

What kavanah should one have by Shemoneh Esrei? It is essential for a person to have kavanah, focused intention and awareness, when praying Shemoneh Esrei, as this prayer is the heart of the daily tefillah and represents one’s personal audience with Hashem. Ideally, one should concentrate deeply on the meaning of every word throughout the entire Shemoneh Esrei. However, if someone finds it difficult to maintain such sustained kavanah, halacha places special emphasis on the fi