Western Wall
The beauty and frustration of Shavuot at the Western Wall
On Shavuot morning, the prayer groups at the Western Wall are composed of Jews of different stripes and appearances, creating a broader cross-section of Jewish life than is there at other times.
Beyond the Headlines: Finding our personal portion in the Torah after Shavuot - opinion
The lost Leonard Cohen concerts in Israel may finally see the light of day
Orphans who lost parents during October 7 war celebrate joint Kotel bar mitzvah
Beneath Jerusalem: The Pilgrimage Road reopens an ancient path
A newly unveiled 1st-century route from the Pool of Siloam to the Western Wall offers a powerful encounter with history – and sparks modern-day tensions in Jerusalem
Western Wall Rabbi denounces missile fire near holy Jerusalem sites, prays for safety
The incident raised concern because the area contains some of the holiest sites in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, making any strike nearby especially sensitive for an international audience.
Israel's government risks unity by advancing divisive laws amid ongoing war with Iran - editorial
As Israel continues to face war, the government's focus on divisive legislation is distracting from critical wartime priorities and risking further division within the country.
Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei: Wisdom of the wise
“Give to the wise, and he will become yet wiser.”
Israel's new Western Wall bill: A 'thorn in the eyes' of Jewish unity - opinion
It stipulates that non-Orthodox prayer – such as prayer services organized by women’s groups – constitutes a “desecration” of the holy sites.
Grapevine, February 18, 2026: Saying it with music
Movers and shakers in Israeli society.
As the Middle East prepares for war, do not forget Iran's brave protesters - opinion
All of this began not with Iranians who took the streets, not protesting against uranium enrichment or ballistic missiles, but for freedom, liberty, and basic rights.
‘Enough is enough!’: Holy sites bill sparks religious power struggle - analysis
A bill amending the Law for the Protection of Holy Places passed a preliminary vote, boosting the Chief Rabbinate’s authority and reigniting debate over religion, state power, and Diaspora ties.
Should control of the Western Wall be delegated to one sect of Judaism over another? - editorial
With already strained Jewish unity, a recent Knesset vote sends a message that Israel is prepared to legislate one stream of Judaism’s authority over a site that carries meaning for all.
Knesset advances bill granting Chief Rabbinate authority over Western Wall prayer
The bill passed by a margin of 56-47 and will now be discussed in Knesset committee meetings. It will still need to undergo three more plenum readings to become a law.
