Français
Español
English
Portuguese
Health Ministry eases restrictions as Israel gets coronavirus under control, allows expansion of prayers at Judaism’s holiest site and hints that synagogues may reopen by week’s end, but with conditions.
By Yakir Benzion
The Western Wall of the ancient Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, Judaism’s holiest shrine, reopened to worshipers Tuesday as the restrictions imposed to control the spread of the coronavirus are being eased following a drop in the rate of new infections.
The plaza at the Western Wall has been divided into separate areas to hold groups of up to 19 participants in the open air for communal prayers. Social distancing and face masks are required, and a total of 300 worshipers will be permitted in the area at any given time.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation said that should all of the prayer areas become full, worshipers will be requested to wait outside the entrances to the Western Wall, with the required distances between them, until space becomes available.
Likewise, families that want to celebrate bar and bat mitzvahs can also return to the Western Wall, but will have to coordinate their arrival in advance through the Western Wall website to ensure that the prayer area is available at the time requested.
The famous tunnels under the Western Wall, popular with tourists, remain closed.
Last month, during the Passover festival, U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman was invited to be one of the select 10 men for the special priestly blessing performed at the site.
An observant Jew and a member of the priestly tribe, the ambassador joined nine other worshipers to form the minimum quorum required at the morning prayer that would normally see the nearly empty plaza overflowing with tens of thousands of worshipers.
“Last year, I was among 100,000; this year, unfortunately, far less. I will pray that the world is spared further illness or sorrow from COVID-19 or otherwise,” the ambassador tweeted.
Synagogues, mosques and churches in Israel all remain closed to group prayer because of the coronavirus crisis, but open-air prayer is allowed anywhere for up 19 people at a time with facemasks and social distancing.
Health Ministry officials said Tuesday they hope to open synagogues by Saturday, the Jewish sabbath, subject to social distancing and limiting the number of parishioners allowed within the houses of worship to 20 people and any give time.
HELP ISRAELIS BATTLE CORONA!
Donate to the Corona Emergency Relief Fund. Coronavirus has taken a huge toll on the people of Israel. The poor, elderly and ill are most vulnerable.
Israeli soldiers, security officers and medical care providers operate under great danger and risk to life.
Over 1 million Israelis are out of work. Many cannot make ends meet. We provide financial aid, food, medical supplies and more. Funds are distributed where needed most. The time to act is now!
United with Israel extends a special note of appreciation to the Genesis Prize for their generous support.
Send Passover Packages to Needy Israeli Soldiers - Bring Them Joy!
We are honored to thank the young men and women of the IDF who risk their lives every day to protect the citizens of Israel. Since October 7th, soldiers have been on the battlefield for months - many are hoping to come home for Passover.
Join us in sending Passover food packages (and personal notes) to Israeli soldiers and their families.
Many soldiers spend the Passover holiday with needy families back home. The soldiers greatly appreciate your love and concern. Bring them Passover joy!
CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR PACKAGE AND NOTE TO ISRAELI SOLDIERS!
