Daily Halacha - Laws of the Western Wall's Sanctity, 28th of Iyar 5777

Should one tear one's shirt upon seeing Jerusalem?

According to the strict law, one who sees Jerusalem in its destruction is obligated to tear their garment, but nowadays, by Hashem's grace, the custom is not to tear upon seeing Jerusalem, since Jerusalem is under Israeli control.

Although we don't tear our garments for Jerusalem, nevertheless when seeing the Temple Mount site one should say "Our Holy Temple was burned with fire and all our precious things have become ruins," and tear one's garment. Even in current times, one should not be lenient regarding this tearing [Chazon Ovadia Four Fasts, p. 438].

Is there an obligation to preserve notes that fall from the Western Wall?

Notes that have fallen from the Western Wall should be properly stored away (genizah), since many people write verses or at least Hashem's name on them [Responsa of the Rishon LeZion 1, p. 49].

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