Who's Obligated In Keriah?

Halacha Moment
14 hours ago
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The Daily Halacha Moment - Who's Obligated In Keriah

״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:

Who's Obligated to tear Keriah upon seeing the kotel?

Answer:

Both men and women are equally obligated to perform keriah (the act of tearing one’s garment) upon seeing the Makom HaMikdash in its state of destruction and the Kotel [1]. This obligation reflects the shared national mourning and connection to the Beit HaMikdash that transcends gender. However, children who are under the age of bar or bat mitzvah are exempt from this mitzvah [2], as they are not yet fully bound by halachic obligations. Nevertheless, some have the custom to involve children in the moment in an educational way, explaining the meaning of keriah so they grow up with an awareness of the Beit HaMikdash and a yearning for its rebuilding.

Sources:

[1]. Orchot Rabbenu, vol. 1, p. 318; ibid., vol. 2, p. 149; Rivevot Ephraim 8:174, in the name of Rabbi Nissim Karelitz; Piskei Teshuvot 561:4. See also Ashrei HaIsh, O.C., vol. 3, 73:21 and Lehorot Natan 2:39, which say that even a boy over the age of bar mitzvah who is financially dependent on his father should nevertheless tear his shirt, even though it is not really his.

[2]. Magen Avraham 561:6; Mishnah Berurah 561:17; Orchot Rabbenu, vol. 1, p. 318; ibid., vol. 2, p. 149; Ashrei HaIsh, O.C., vol. 3, 73:21; Piskei Teshuvot §4.

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