Women can&#146;t wail

last updated 8 January 2015

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.