The Kosel HaMa'aravi, the Western Wall, is not merely a historical monument—it is a living testament to our people's unwavering faith and deep connection to the Bais HaMikdash. For centuries, the stones of the Wall have silently borne witness to our trials, triumphs, and the continuous echo of our heritage. These stones, however, are not ordinary; they are imbued with kedushah, and this very sanctity has ignited a fierce debate over their removal and public display.
Over the years, several stones have detached from the Wall—whether by natural forces or the turbulence of history. Their relocation has stirred controversy, raising questions about whether these stones should be regarded solely as historical artifacts or revered as holy objects that must remain undisturbed in their original sanctified context.
In 2018, a large stone weighing approximately 880 lbs. detached from the southern section of the Wall during Tishah B'Av prayers. Miraculously, no one was harmed. After extensive discussion, this stone was moved to the Davidson Center Archaeological Garden in Yerushalayim, where it now rests among other fallen stones from the area known as Temple Mount. Although this relocation allows the public a glimpse into our past, many question whether such sacred relics should be removed from their hallowed origin.
The controversy intensified last month, when the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) displayed a massive five-ton stone from the Kosel at Ben Gurion Airport. Previously exhibited in the Knesset, this stone was included in a display aimed at educating the public about the Second Temple period. The exhibition featured the stone alongside agricultural tools and a collection of Hasmonean coins, among other artifacts. While the IAA’s intentions were educational, many religious authorities were quick to express their concern over treating these sanctified stones as mere museum pieces.
Torah authorities have been unequivocal in their stance. Rav David Yosef, the Rishon LeZion and Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, emphasizes that these stones are not mere relics but holy objects imbued with kedushah. According to halachah, their sanctity prohibits them from being exhibited publicly. Rav Yosef contends that these stones belong with the other fallen remnants of the Har HaBayis and must remain undisturbed. Similarly, Rabbi Kalman Ber, the Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Israel, insists that the sanctity of these stones precludes their use as movable artifacts for public display.
Among the most vocal critics is Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the Rabbi of the Western Wall. He has called for the immediate return of the five-ton stone from Ben Gurion Airport to its original place at the Wall, where it can rest in peace with its sacred brethren. Rabbi Rabinowitz stresses that, while it is important to educate the public about our heritage, this must never come at the expense of the sanctity of the Kosel stones. In his view, using these stones for public display constitutes a clear desecration of their inherent holiness.
At the heart of this debate lies the tension between two opposing views: the sanctity of the stones versus their role in education. On one hand, Torah leaders maintain that these stones, as bearers of our sacred history, must remain where they belong—at the Har HaBayis. On the other hand, cultural institutions such as the IAA argue that displaying these relics offers the wider public a valuable connection to the profound legacy of the Second Temple and our enduring bond with Yerushalayim. Simultaneously, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced plans to send a Western Wall stone to the 2025 World Expo in Japan, an effort to showcase Israel’s rich cultural and religious heritage on a global stage. Yet, such plans continue to provoke deep concern among those who believe that moving these sacred stones undermines their inherent kedushah.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
Historical Context
Since 1967, when Israel gained control of Jerusalem's Old City and the Western Wall during the Six-Day War, the Wall has symbolized Jewish sovereignty and resilience. Brigadier Rabbi Shlomo Goren famously declared, "Israel would never again relinquish the Wall," a sentiment echoed by Defense Minister Moshe Dayan and Chief of Staff Yitzhak Rabin.
In 2017, during President Donald Trump’s visit to Israel, Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi emphasized the profound importance of the Kosel, asserting that Trump's visit there held more significance than the embassy relocation decision. Later that year, the government faced criticism for not fully implementing the Western Wall compromise—measures that would have allowed a mixed-gender prayer space, chas v'shalom. Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai lamented this as a "historic failure," further intensifying debates surrounding the sacred site.
For many of us, the Kosel is not merely a stone structure; it is a living emblem of our covenant with Hashem—a tangible link to our ancestors and their struggles. The debate over the relocation and display of its stones reveals a delicate balance between upholding our sacred traditions and embracing modern means of cultural diplomacy. As we continue to grapple with these issues, may Hashem grant us the wisdom to honor our heritage fully while engaging responsibly with the world around us. Let our actions ensure that the sanctity of the Western Wall remains preserved for generations to come.
