Letter from Minnesota: Who Belongs At The Kotel?

The secular police, some of whom did not even wear kippot (required of all men at the Kotel)…told women at the edge of the group that they had to wear their tallitot round their necks like a scarf if they wanted to keep them on. At one point a female police officer circled us, videotaping the participants.

Who Belongs at the Kotel?
Dr. Laurie Radovsky • TCJewfolk.com

…The Women of the Wall group was obvious; they were the 150 women gathered at the back of the women’s section who were being led through Shacharit by a woman with a lovely voice. Her chanting was sometimes drowned out by men who shouted over the mechitza at us.

The secular police, some of whom did not even wear kippot (required of all men at the Kotel), were an irritating presence. They told women at the edge of the group that they had to wear their tallitot round their necks like a scarf if they wanted to keep them on. At one point a female police officer circled us, videotaping the participants.

At the end of Shacharit , we were supposed to conduct our Torah service at Robinson’s Arch, the area outside the Kotel proper designated as acceptable for “alternative” prayer services. Anat Hoffman, the spokesperson for Women of the Wall, decided to take the Torah out of its duffle bag and carry it openly to Robinson’s Arch rather than leave it hidden.

The group turned, singing, to leave, led by Anat and the Torah.

The police officer who was in charge of security around our group was clearly infuriated by this. He got behind Anat and began to push her, trying to hustle her out of the Kotel area as quickly as possible. Anat continued to move as slowly as she could despite the police pressure to move along.

Once we were out of the Kotel courtyard, the police tried to wrestle the Torah out of Anat’s arms. She refused to let go, and they arrested her with the Torah still in her arms. Her offense? Walking with a Torah at the Kotel, an act that occurs in countless synagogues across the world. While one could argue that Anat’s activities were politically motivated, it is still a slap in the face to liberal Judaism that our practice should be so marginalized as to be considered illegal.…

Comments

[Garnel Ironheart]

Look, bottom line: the Chareidim hate these people and their public displays. They will riot violently whenever they appear. There are tens of thousands of them and a handle of feminists. Are the police going to tangle with a bloodthirsty mob or a few women with defiant attitudes? Think about it.
And if that's the case, what kind of point do these women think they're making? That they can annoy Chareidim? Isn't that easy enough to do already?

[Neo-Conservaguy]

While one could argue that Anat’s activities were politically motivated, it is still a slap in the face to liberal Judaism that our practice should be so marginalized as to be considered illegal

They now admit they were provoking the trouble - that's an improvement over the original dishonest reports.

[Esmenter]

I think the point "these women" are making is that it's entirely unacceptable for the kotel, central and important to all Jews, to be so completely under the control of a small group of violent, fundamentalist, sexist, homophobic, superstitious, extremist fanatics. The point is that "these women"--Jewish wives, mothers, and daughters--have the right to daven in peace without being assaulted by the police, as though Jerusalem were Tehran.

Let the Haredim practice their form of Judaism as they see fit. And let them allow me to do the same. Anything else is simply שנאת חינם.

[seymour]

give them a small are by the kotel with a warning to the cherideaim

protest and the whole kotel will be mixed

[harold]

Anat Hoffman!

What a phony. If they want some credibility get someone else to be their spokesperson. Someone who really cares and loves the torah. She is nothing but an opportunist. Ech!

[Robert Wisler]

If the Jews of the U.S. don't like the policies of the Israeli government, then don't contribute the next time the Jewish Agency comes a'beggin'.

[Maskil]

Dr. Laurie Radovsky,

They took the case to the Israeli courts. The Israeli courts ruled that they may not defy convention (even when halachically permissible - something the Israeli courts, usually, don't give a shit about) at the regular section (divided, now equally, between men and women) but could still do their shtick at another part of the Western Wall, the retaining wall of the Mount - as opposed to the western wall of the bet ha-mikdash - (which some believe is the wall about which it is said that the shechina never leaves). They continue to be unhappy with the results of the ruling of the court to which they took their case. They aren't happy enough that God notices them, they want the attention of people, and more specifically of men. So they defied convention and took out the Torah in the women's section and began to sing aloud, in defiance of the ruling of the Israeli court, to which they brought their case, and were arrested for this violation. God would have noticed them anyway, but not you Radovsky, which is apparently exactly what they wanted. So thank the bare headed cops who did their job and gave these women the attention they felt they deserved.

seymour and other company - they were given a small area of the kotel, the western part - but put the comments back up your ass, because these women believe in the importance of halacha and the division of groups of men from groups of women. Before you "defend" their rights, find out whom you'r defending. They'd be the first to condemn your revisionist views.

[Mr. Apikoros]

Annoying and provoking Haredim should be a prime goal in the life of every secular (and even traditionally religious) Jew.

To put it more bluntly, secular and traditionally religious Jews must not allow a bunch of religious fanatics (that means you, Harold) to control how they worship and how they live their lives.

[harold]

If the Jews of the U.S. don't like the policies of the Israeli government, then don't contribute the next time the Jewish Agency comes a'beggin'

Sorry, much too simplistic. Most American Jews I am sure don't like SOME of Israeli policies, but that is no reason to not give to Israel. There is so much to love about our homeland. People give because they can identify with many aspects of Israel that are near and dear to their heart. I certainly would not base my giving to Israel based on their policies with regards to the "Women of off the Wall".

[harold]

Annoying and provoking Haredim should be a prime goal in the life of every secular (and even traditionally religious) Jew

I am not annoyed, I am entertained. We are nothing, nobodies here. If anything people ane annoyed by me. This is because they take their blogging too seriously. What a waste. It can be so much fun! All posts have such a short lifespan before they fade away into the never never land of "Older" where almost no one ventures with the exception of our friend "Google".

[Mr. Apikoros]

"I certainly would not base my giving to Israel based on their policies with regards to the "Women of off the Wall"."

I would, and I do just that, based upon this and other things which show that Israel has turned into an intolerant theocracy.

That's why, when I watch the Mega Event video from Birthright Israel, and some Israeli politician, or Michael Steinhardt, say, "Welcome home!" I'm about ready to puke. You're not "home" in Israel, Americans, and this is from a guy who has several relatives who are the offspring of my father's older sister who emigrated to Palestine in the early 1930's (she wasn't my aunt yet), and who married an American expat who did the same. Could either (both were very secular Zionists) prove they're Jewish under the Haredi Chief Rabbinate's rules? Nope. The US doesn't have "Jew" stamped on passports or other official documents (except military dogtags, and that's optional). So their kids (all living) and their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, can they prove they're Jewish? Again, nope. I guess all my cousins are mamzerin.

[harold]

I would, and I do just that, based upon this and other things which show that Israel has turned into an intolerant theocracy.

I guess I will have to increase my donation to make up for the shortfall.

[Radical Feminist]

Well I think it is really quite obvious. The Torah does not belong to Jews who are female.

[Mr. Apikoros]

And the correct answer as to who belongs at the Kotel is, anyone who wants to be there. On whichever side they prefer.

[A E ANDERSON]

It's a baraisa:

"All who come to the wall (KOTEL) of my temple shall come in purity. Rebbe Shmar-tut says, read not KOTEL (Wall) but "KOTEX" (tampon.) This teaches that tampon wearers are not welcome in the holy precincts. Beis Hillel says tampons are permissible, so long as the string remains visible."

[Alter Kocker]

Bottom line everyone: Let's cut off the funding to Israel for a while. Let them choke a bit on the Chareidi vomit. The government will then be forced to act.

[Bassy the Haredi Slayer]

It is funny, that because of the haredim Israelis do not like Conservative, Reform and Modern Orthodox

[ML]

It's also funny that because of the Charedim, Israelis don't like Judaism much.

Or wait, it's not funny, it's sad.

[Maskil]

Mr. Apikoros,

"I certainly would not base my giving to Israel based on their policies with regards to the "Women of off the Wall"."

I would, and I do just that, based upon this and other things which show that Israel has turned into an intolerant theocracy...

You moron, just like seymour your defense of these women was pulled right out of your ass (and should be promptly reinserted). These women believe in a theocracy and pray ardently for its restoration, knowing that with it comes the centralization of Jewish Law (halacha) and the end of the factionalization (i.e. "we're not used to this so you can't do it") that prevents them from in-your-amhaaratz-facing their form of observance, which is based on halacha. You, and the rest of you dumb, dumb, dumbasses. You think you speak for these women, they hate you and they hate when you become their "advocates."

And the correct answer as to who belongs at the Kotel is, anyone who wants to be there. On whichever side they prefer.

Probably the only thing you've ever gotten right (although a broken clock is supposed to be right twice a a day), and I say Amen to that 100% - and I prefer the east side!

[Visually Arresting]

I came up with an even greater way these women could rile up those pesky Haredim. To borrow from the PETA handbook of militant mud-slinging, why not bring fake blood packs in their underwear as they carry the torah, letting them drip drip drip as they walk from the Kotel to the Robinson's Arch?

[Jeff]

Israel is finished. Nothing will save it. In the meantime, I agree with Mr. A - not one penny for Israel until it at least makes an attempt to free itself from the Haredi stranglehold.

And, Harold, of course you find life fun. You think you're going to heaven, where you'll get to jeer at us as we roast in the fires of Gehinnom for all of eternity. It's one of the reasons you come here - it makes you feel so damn superior.

You really are the most pitiful excuse for a human being. I'll repeat what I said the other day - may you live long enough for your children to see you for who you are, and reject you for it. May they reject every value, every belief with which you indoctrinated them. Then you can ver derharget - the sooner, the better.

[harold]

Then you can ver derharget - the sooner, the better.

You are taking this blog WAYYYYYY to seriously. Just what is your story to bring you to such a point of blind anger. Share it with us so we may understand and feel your pain.

[Jeff]

I don't like you. I don't like anything about you. You're an utter disgrace. I wish Scott would boot you the hell out of here already, but that's his business.

[harold]

I don't like you. I don't like anything about you. You're an utter disgrace. I wish Scott would boot you the hell out of here already, but that's his business.

Sorry that I am rocking your world of pure blind hatred. I guess I can understand. It is no fun coming into a room with a loose cannon.