Rabbis Issue Sharp Protest Against Christian Prayer at the Western Wall on October 7

A storm surrounds the event planned at the Western Wall on the anniversary of the October 7 massacre: Rabbi Avigdor Nebenzahl and Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar issued a sharp protest today (Monday) against holding a joint prayer for Jews and Christians in the Western Wall area, and call on the public not to take part in the event and to work for its cancellation.

In a letter that reached us and bears the title "To all our brothers of the House of Israel," it is written:

"I hereby express my opinion and my firm protest regarding the severe prohibition against participating in the joint prayer for Jews and Christians intended to take place at the Western Wall on the 26th of Tishrei 5787, the 7th of October in the year 26 of their count."

The rabbis clarify in the letter that their opposition does not concern only the central prayer plaza, but also the areas adjacent to the Western Wall. "This is a desecration of the Name and of our holy place. The Western Wall along its entire length and its surroundings, including the Southern Wall and the Davidson Center, is a holy place of prayer for Jews, and it is strictly forbidden to cooperate in any way or to participate with them in this event," it states.

Following this, a particularly sharp clarification appears, intended to refute any claim that rabbinical consent was given for the event. The letter states that no publication should be seen as if consent was given for the occasion, which they define as "this severe event at the Western Wall, the likes of which has not been seen since the destruction of the Temple."

It is further written:

"In these difficult days when the honor of the Almighty and those who study Torah is being desecrated, it is fitting for every G-d-fearing Jew to distance themselves from the desecration of the holy and to act with self-sacrifice for the cancellation of the occasion, for the sake of the honor of Heaven and His Torah."

The letter is signed with a statement that leaves no room for doubt regarding the rabbis' position: "It is impossible under any circumstances to participate with the followers of that man."