12 May KRIAH UPON SEEING YERUSHALAYIM AND THE KOSEL HAMARAVI

We live in a world
today where it is very
hard to realize what
we are missing by
not having the Bais
Hamikdosh around.
We get too comfortable
with our houses etc.
and are not really
waiting for the day that
Moshiach will come.
The Gemorah tells us that if one mourns over
the Bais Hamikdosh he will merit seeing it
rebuilt. The Shulchan Aruch tells us that a
G-d fearing person should worry about the
churban Bais Hamikdosh every day of his
life. One is supposed to do certain actions
in order to remember the churban. One of
those items is discussed below, that being
the halacha of kriah (ripping) when visiting
Yerushalayim and the Kosel Hamaravi. Many
people are lax and do not rip today when
visiting Yerushalayim; however, this is not
the correct practice and it should be corrected.
The Cities of Yehuda
If one sees the cities of Yehuda then one
rips his garment even if they are under the
leadership of Jewish people. One says the
words of ….. On cities which are cities of
Yidden one does not rip. Some say that one
may rip on Chevron, while others say one
should indeed rip on Chevron. The custom
today is not to rip on any cities of Yehuda
according to many poskim.
Yerushalayim
When one sees the city of Yerushalayim when
it is not rebuilt (today), one rips and says the
words of ……… These words should be said
before the ripping. The Old City is the part
in which one would be obligated to rip upon
seeing it, not the new Yerushalayim which
extends well beyond the Old City walls.
Many poskim say that on Yerushalayim the

custom is not to rip today since it is under
Jewish leadership, while others argue. The
custom seems to follow the first opinion
quoted. According to those who rip, when
they see the place where the Bais Hamikdosh
stood they rip again; however, there should
be a space of three fingerbreadths from the
previous rip. Some say that when one sees
Yerushalayim as it is today one should not eat
meat or drink wine the entire day.
Ripping on the Bais Hamikdosh and the
Kosel Hamaravi
The ripping done for the destruction of the
Bais Hamikdosh should initially be when
one sees the floor of the Azarah. However,
the custom today is to rip even if one sees the
Dome of the Rock which is situated on the
Mokom Hamikdosh. If a person knows he
will not see the Dome of the Rock for some
reason then he only has to rip when seeing the
Kosel Hamaravi.
When one rips on the destruction of the
Mokom Hamikdosh one should say the words
of …….. If one did not say these words,
some say the ripping is still valid. When
one rips because of the destruction of the
Bais Hamikdosh he should bow towards the
Mokom Hamikdosh.
One does not recite a beracha of Shehechiyanu
upon seeing the Kosel Hamaravi for the first
time. Often one walks through the Old City
and sees the Dome of the Rock before seeing
the Kosel. If one wants to rip first upon seeing
the Kosel Hamaravi and not the Dome of the
Rock, he should look down until he reaches
the Kosel and then rip. Those who have the
custom to rip on seeing the destruction of
Yerushalayim should rip twice.
Who Is Obligated to Rip
Men and women are both obligated to rip
upon seeing any of the places that we are
noheg to rip. However, women are only
noheg to rip in one of the places mentioned. A
child below bar or bas mitzvah does not rip.
A child supported by parents whose clothing
belongs to the parents may not rip according
to some poskim, while others are lenient.
A chassan and kallah before their chuppah are
obligated to rip, and after the chuppah during
the entire sheva berachos they are exempt.
The Actual Ripping
When one sees Yerushalayim and then
the Mokom Hamikdosh, he should rip
on Yerushalayim first, and then three
fingerbreadths away he should rip again.
If one sees the Mokom Hamikdosh first, he
should rip there and then add to the same tear.
Some say if one sees the Mokom Hamikdosh
and Yerushalayim at the same time he only
needs to rip once.
Some have the custom to rip all garments,
however the prevailing custom is to rip one

garment. If one does not want to rip his
jacket he may remove it and rip his shirt.
The tear should be a tefach (about four
inches). One should use his hand, though
some permit using a utensil. The tearing
is done on the left side, where the heart is,
though some are lenient today to tear on
the right side.
The tearing is done from top to bottom,
while standing, and by oneself. It is only
required if one did not see these places
within thirty days.
Miscellaneous Halachos Regarding
Ripping
One does not need a new garment each time;
rather one may use the same garment and rip a
different section. Women should also rip their
outer garment, though in practice they may
rip any garment they choose if needed.
After ripping, one should keep the garment on
for a short while, especially while davening at
the Kosel, and then it may be removed.
If one did not rip at the time of seeing, he may
still rip as long as the pain over the churban

is felt. A left-handed person rips like a right-
handed person.

When and When Not to Rip
Many have the custom not to rip on Erev
Shabbos after chatzos. Others disagree, but
the minhag follows the first opinion. After
Shabbos one is obligated to rip if he has not
yet done so.
One does not rip on Shabbos. According to
many poskim, one also does not rip after
Shabbos if he was exempt on Shabbos. Others
disagree. Some suggest going on Shabbos to
exempt oneself, though this is debated.
The custom is not to rip on Chol Hamoed.
Some say one does not rip on any day that
tachanun is not recited. Many poskim require
ripping on Rosh Chodesh.
If one does not rip, he should still say “Baruch
Dayan HaEmes” without Shem and Malchus.
Being Makneh One’s Garment
Some say one may give his garment to another
after ripping so that he may also rip. Many
have the custom to be makneh their garment
to avoid ripping. This is done by transferring
ownership temporarily (for example through
an exchange of items). However, many
poskim discourage this practice, and it is
better to rip properly with feeling.
Those Who Live in Yerushalayim
There is a discussion whether those who live
in Yerushalayim must rip. Today, since the
city is spread out, one who lives in the area
should rip if he has not seen the Kosel within
thirty days.
If one left Yerushalayim and did not return for
thirty days, he must rip again. Horav Shlomo

Zalman Auerbach zt”l held that even those
outside the Old City of Yerushalayim do not
rip if they see the Kosel within thirty days.
Someone born in Yerushalayim does not rip
even when older.
Halachos at the Kosel Hamaravi
When visiting the Kosel Hamaravi one
must treat the place with utmost respect.
The Medrash says the Kosel will never be
destroyed. The Shechinah never departs from
it.
All gates of Heaven were closed after the
Churban except the gate of tears. The Kosel
became known as the Wailing Wall because
of the tears of Yidden.
Tefilos from the Diaspora pass through Eretz
Yisroel and then to the Kosel. It is prohibited
to enter the Mokom Hamikdash area even if
one is tovel and barefoot.
One must be careful not to take stones or
damage the Kosel in any way. The area has
the kedusha of a shul and must be treated
accordingly.
It is permitted to place kvitlach in the cracks
of the Kosel. One should not turn his back
directly to the Kosel when leaving, but should
walk away sideways.
Some avoid leaning on the Kosel, while others
permit it. One should not act disrespectfully
in any way.
Many have the custom to daven for forty
consecutive days at the Kosel for yeshuos.
At times when multiple minyanim are
present, one is not required to answer amen
to other minyanim. The Sefer Torah should be
returned properly after leining.
It is preferable to daven closer to the inner
section of the Kosel.
Women traveling to the Kosel on Friday night
may make a condition regarding accepting
Shabbos, though this should not become a
regular practice.
Dancing at the Kosel is generally permitted.
Common Tehillim recited at the Kosel include
chapters: 30, 84, 87, 125, 126, 127, 132, and
134.