In a shocking incident at Jerusalem's Western Wall early this morning (Thursday), a Jewish man caused controversy by climbing the ancient stones of Judaism's holiest site to hang protest signs, prompting swift condemnation from religious authorities and a police investigation.
The Western Wall, also known as the Kotel, is the last remaining structure from the Second Jewish Temple, destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. It serves as Judaism's most sacred prayer site, attracting millions of worshippers and tourists annually. The wall stands beneath the Temple Mount, a compound that houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque and is holy to both Jews and Muslims.
The incident occurred during Shacharit (morning prayers) at sunrise, when the unidentified man scaled the massive limestone blocks of the 2,000-year-old wall. According to witnesses, he used the ancient stones as a climbing route to access the Temple Mount above, while simultaneously attaching unauthorized signs to the wall's surface.
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, the official rabbi of the Western Wall, condemned the act as a "desecration of the holy site" and an "unprecedented violation of Jewish law." He emphasized that the man's actions broke multiple religious protocols, including the unauthorized ascent to the Temple Mount, physical contact with the sacred stones, and the posting of signs on the historical structure.
"These actions, along with other recent incidents, directly contradict both Jewish law and official rulings of the Chief Rabbinate," Rabbi Rabinovitch stated. The Rabbi oversees the preservation of the site's sanctity and the adherence to traditional Jewish customs at the wall, where visitors typically pray respectfully from a plaza below the ancient stones.
Jerusalem Police have launched an investigation into the incident. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which manages the site, confirmed that the signs were promptly removed to maintain the wall's sanctity and traditional appearance.
Kikar HaShabbat contributed to this article.
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