Prayer

'May God kill, destroy the judges,' Yitzhak Yosef denounces ruling restricting Western Wall prayers

Former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef criticizes the High Court’s decision restricting Passover prayers at the Western Wall, calling the judges "heretics" and "Shabbat desecrators."

|ByAVI SOLOMON
Shas spiritual leader and former Sephardic chief rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, seen during a weekly lecture at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, June 07, 2025; illustrative.
Palestinians are standing in queues in front of Damascus Gate on Eid Al-Fitr on March 20, 2026 in Jerusalem.

Crowd near Old City dispersed over safety concerns, Police say

The group had been conducting prayers for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, the same day a fragment from an intercepted Iranian missile fell in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Freed Israeli hostages Matan Zangauker, Ilana Gritzewsky, and Segev Kalfon, recite the Shema prayer on stage in Times Square on February 21, 2026.

Freed Israeli hostages recite Shema prayer on New York City stage in front of thousands

This event was part of the Chabad-Lubavitch CTeen International Summit, an annual conference for Jewish teens from around the world. 

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A general view of Jerusalem's Old City shows the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, in the foreground as the Dome of the Rock, located on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, is seen in the background.

Coalition lawmakers vow to advance bill granting Chief Rabbinate authority over Western Wall prayer

A new bill aims to give the Chief Rabbinate control over Western Wall prayer arrangements, with coalition lawmakers pushing for its passage.

|ByKESHET NEEV

Jewish communities unite for Kriat Shema for return of hostages

"Join us live from the Western Wall to hear the voices and exclusive stories of the hostage families, concluding in a moment of prayer and solidarity."

MARCH 21, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Jewish communities unite for Kriat Shema for return of hostages, March 21, 2024

Brave hearts: Soldiers standing strong against fear

FEBRUARY 21, 2024ByMARK FISH
INTEREST IN Torah study is growing among non-observant Jews.

'We need more faith in God': A million thoughts during war - opinion

We need more faith in God. We are so lucky we have Hashem. I need to pray more. Did I say Shema?

FEBRUARY 17, 2024ByHADASSAH CHEN
CAREFREE BEACH day: Selfie taken October 6, before the world changed.

Why do we pray? Turning to God in times of trauma - opinion

Perhaps prayer’s greatest benefit is that it enables us to elevate and purify ourselves.

FEBRUARY 17, 2024ByDVORA WAYSMAN
A Jewish man praying (Illustrative).

Father arrested after son bowed down on Temple Mount

While on break from serving in the reserves on the Gaza border, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Peirman took his three kids to the Temple Mount.

JANUARY 23, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Peirman's youngest son lying on the stairs at the Temple Mount.

Jewish people find comfort amid war at Western Wall

Beyond the Headlines: A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news.

JANUARY 22, 2024BySIVAN RAHAV MEIR
An illustrative image of the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem.

IDF reservists learn Talmud, maintain spiritual practice amid Gaza war

Most recently, a group of IDF reservists finished the Talmudic tractate of Berachot by splitting it up into sections and each learning a small part. 

JANUARY 4, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
IDF soldier shown with a Jewish spiritual book in his pocket.

This day of communal Kaddish, enacted after the Holocaust, is just right for this moment

This prayer put in the mouth of the mourner begs God to speed the day when God is, in fact, great and holy.

DECEMBER 22, 2023ByRABBI AVITAL HOCHSTEIN/JTA, RABBI ELIE KAUNFER/JTA
A MEMORIAL candle is lit for a deceased loved one.

Jewish a cappella group mix tradition with modern twist on Hallel prayer

The video beautifully weaves together the essence of Hanukkah - a festival of light and hope - with a musical tapestry that transcends boundaries.

DECEMBER 19, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Rabotai Jewish A Capella film the video of their Hallel medley

Israel-Hamas war: A Hassidic rebbe's prayer for soldiers

The text that was recited was not the well-known version of the prayer for IDF soldiers; it predates that prayer, and is meant to underscore that battles are won with prayers, not armed fighting.

DECEMBER 8, 2023ByLEVI COOPER
MENACHEM MENDEL HAGER, Grand Rabbi of Vizhnitz, prays at the Rav Shimon Bar Yochai gravesite in Meron, May 24.