Jerusalem
Women may not pray aloud at the Wailing Wall, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled this week. The Western Wall of the ancient Second Temple in Jerusalem is the holiest site in Judaism and draws thousands of male worshipers each year. By tradition, women are barred from the site. A group called Women of the Wall has been waging a legal battle for 15 years, seeking permission for women to pray there for just one hour on the first day of each month. But they fear that the court’s decision to stand with Jewish tradition may end their quest. “What a sad, sad day,” said the organization’s leader, Anat Hoffman. “I truly wish our court had been more brave.” Women may still pray in a separate area, away from the wall.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What should you be stockpiling for 'World War Three'?In the Spotlight Britons advised to prepare after the EU tells its citizens to have an emergency kit just in case
-
Carnivore diet: why people are eating only meatThe Explainer 'Meatfluencers' are taking social media by storm but experts warn meat-only diets have health consequences
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human bloodUnder the radar Drugging the bugs
