Jerusalem before and on Shavuot

B"H

This time, no one can claim that I was lazy and didn't go to any chassidic Tish last Shabbat. However, all my energy and activities were in vain because no chassidic Tish whatsoever took place. Obviously everyone got ready for the coming Shavuot. It is a custom to study throughout the night of Shavuot and with a friend I went to the "Israel Center of the Orthodox Union" in Jerusalem in order to listen to some religious Shiurim (classes). A decision I soon regretted except for the great buffet with junk food and fruit.

The first speaker, a woman, turned out to be a complete failure, as she misinterpreted her subject. Already after a few sentences I realized that her speech will lead us to nowhere and decided to take a nap on the chair. The following speakers, two litvishe rabbis, on the other hand, were brilliant and my conclusion was that you shouldn't allow every woman who turns to be out the wife of a rabbi, to teach.

At 4 o'clock in the morning we went to the Kotel (Western Wall). Thousands were on their way to the morning prayer Shacharit and police as well as the army border police were guarding the entire way. We went through the Arab market and arrived without any difficulties at the Kotel. Although millions of visitors had been announced, there was still plenty of space and the line - ups were managed fast by the security staff. In the middle of the place in front of the Kotel, a Mechitzah (separation wall between men and women) was placed but not too many paid so much attention. This was more or less fine with me but what started bothering a lot was a group of national religious girls sitting in a big circle at the women's site. Approx. 25 teens with short skirts and no sox sat down and sung religious songs.

Halachically a woman is forbidden to sing out loud when she is accompanied by strange men. Only a married men is allowed to hear the singing of his wife or daughters but he is forbidden listening to songs of other women. This would arouse in him certain immodest feelings and, thus, his Yetzer.

A few haredi guys coming to the Kotel passed the girls group quickly and on their way they closed their ears. This, on the other hand, seemed a little too exaggerated for me. But I still asked myself why no one complained about the national religious sitting there and singing. Usually the Haredim are the first to complain about anything.

Suddenly a haredi woman showed up and started yelling at the girls group. If they are not ashamed of sitting here immodest and singing. The national religious first appeared to be stunned but then got up and the group disappeared quickly. They knew that the haredi woman was right but still couldn't really get the point.

One can say that the haredi woman was a religious fanatic but, on the other hand, she also was right. If you are at a place like the Kotel, you should behave in a certain way. And the national religious who claim to be religious should know Halachot.
Lately, the Jerusalem national religious girls appear far too immodest anyway. Short skirts, no sox, shiny colours and short sleeves. Okay, okay, I do wear pants and maybe shouldn't complain but still….The national religious should know better and realize that soon hardly anyone will consider them religious.

By the way, I did wear a long skirt that morning on Shavuot.