Tearing Keriah when Seeing the Kotel
- Halacha Moment
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
The Daily Halacha Moment - Tearing when Seeing the Kotel
״כל השונה הלכות בכל יום - מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא״ (נידה עג ע״א, מגילה כח:)
“Anyone who studies Halachot every day is guaranteed that he is destined for the world-to-come” (Megilla 28b, Niddah 73a)
Question:
Does one tear ones clothing when seeing the Kotel?
Answer:
Even in our times, one remains obligated to tear his clothing upon seeing the place where the Bet HaMikdash once stood [1]. This mitzvah is a tangible expression of our mourning for its destruction and our longing for its rebuilding. The obligation applies when one sees the Dome of the Rock, which occupies the very location where the Bet HaMikdash once stood, as well as when one sees the Kotel [2].
Before tearing one’s clothing, the following should be recited [3]:
בֵּית קָדְשֵׁנוּ וְתִפְאַרְתֵּנוּ אֲשֶׁר הִלְלוּךָ בוֹ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ הָיָה לִשְׂרֵפַת אֵשׁ וְכָל מַחְמַדֵּנוּ הָיָה לְחָרְבָּה
"The house of our holiness and our splendor, where our forefathers praised You, has been burned with fire, and all that was precious to us has become a ruin."
Furthermore, one does not recite SheHecheyanu when seeing the Kotel for the first
time.[4]
Over the next couple of days we will continue discussing the Halachot of Zecher Lachurban.
Sources:
[1]. Shulchan Aruch 561:2.
[2]. Igrot Moshe, O.C., vol. 4, 70:11; ibid. vol. 5, 37:1; Ashrei HaIsh, O.C., vol. 3, 73:12; Shevet HaLevi 7:78; Yaskil Avdi, vol. 8, 25:4, 4; Moadim U’Zemanim 7:257; Teshuvot VeHanhagot 1:331; Chazon Ovadia, Arba Taaniyot, p. 438; ibid., Avelut, vol. 1, p. 266.
[3]. Shulchan Aruch §2; Chazon Ovadia, Arba Taaniyot, p. 438.
[4]. Yaskil Avdi, vol. 8, 25:1; Rivevot Ephraim, vol. 4, 54:11.
📲 The Daily Halacha Moment is written exclusively for this broadcast so when forwarding please include the link! 😊
Netanel Aminov
Founder Of The Halacha Moment
🌟 Today's Halacha Moment is dedicated:
🕯 Leiluy Nishmat:
Mishael Ben Frecha
Efrat Bat Aushra
Ariel Ben Shiri (Bibas Family)
Kfir Ben Shiri (Bibas Family)
Shiri Bat Margalit (Bibas Family)
🤒 Refuah Shelema:
Chana Bat Sima Feiga
💯 Hatzlacha:
Aminov Family
Sion Ben Elie
DBY
🗣️ Want Your Friends/ Family to Be Part of This Amazing Broadcast?
👇 Click Below 👇
⭐️❤️ Want the _zechut_ of dedicating a Halacha Moment seen by thousands?
Dedicate day $72
Dedicate A Week $360
Dedicate A Month $1250
Zelle info@halachamoment.com
🤩 Comment on this Halacha Moment and let us know how it impacted you.
Comments