Over the past few years, I, and the entire Western Wall Heritage Foundation, have been under attack with claims that by sticking to the old traditions, we are distancing the Jewish people from it.
By RABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZEXALTING IN Sukkot at the Western Wall(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
All around the Jewish world, people dedicate the months of Elul and Tishrei to introspection and tshuva (repentance). This year, I would like to focus on the tshuva of the month of Heshvan, the tshuva of “after the High Holidays.” As we do every year, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation prepared for the arrival of thousands of worshipers coming to the Western Wall for the traditional slihot penitential prayers, and for the holidays of Tishrei. But this year, even the most veteran and experienced of the Kotel staff were surprised at the sight of the masses coming up to Jerusalem, a phenomenon unlike any seen in many years.During the month of Elul, the month of compassion and repentance, and during Aseret Yemei Tshuva between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, many thousands participated in the slihot services. Many fulfilled the commandment of pilgrimage during the holiday of Succot (Tabernacles). And official estimates put the number of visitors to the Kotel during this month at over 2 million! This is a dramatic increase even in relation to the steady increase of the past several years.Over the past few years, I, and the entire Western Wall Heritage Foundation, have been under attack with claims that by sticking to the old traditions of the Kotel, we are distancing the Jewish people from it, especially the younger generation.Even the establishment of the Ezrat Yisrael section, earmarked for liberal streams of Judaism and servicing very few worshipers every month, did not placate the complainers. The struggle with the tradition of the site continues unabated. Again and again, we hear those who refuse to accept the traditions of the Kotel and wish to have them changed as they claim, “The Kotel must be adjusted to changing times.” They voice threats claiming that the Jewish nation is abandoning the Kotel en masse. It is a shame that this small group tries to provoke world Jewry by presenting inaccuracies in their attempt to make the Kotel a battleground between world Jewry and the State of Israel.The photograph taken on the last evening of slihot, on Erev Yom Kippur, is evidence of the deeper truth. It proves that not only isn’t there a growing antipathy between the Jewish nation and the Kotel, but rather the nation is coming to the Kotel by the thousands and voting with their feet. Yes, that same antiquated and conservative Kotel. The Kotel that reminds us of our parents’ home. The Kotel that connects us to our grandmother’s Shabbat candles. It is to this exact Kotel that millions of Jews, of all segments and groups, continue to stream. At the entrance to this plaza, they set aside uniqueness and embrace that which unites us. They know that they can realize their uniqueness anywhere in the world, but here, at the Kotel, we bow our heads in humility before Jewish tradition and Jewish unity.The incredible demonstration of Jewish unity and love that was shown by the entire Jewish people during the holidays of the month of Tishrei obligates us all to do tshuva, to repent. For too long, we have all let small people lead us into a zealous, separating, and futile discussion that tried to turn the Kotel into a site of dispute among different streams within Judaism. This is the hour of great people to lead a process of unity, reconciliation, and tranquility – for our own sakes, for our children’s sakes, for all the generations to come, and for the sake of this holy site.The writer is rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites.
