Clashes at Jerusalem’s Western Wall over separation of sexes
November 03, 2016
Jewish protesters have clashed in Jerusalem over an effort to set aside part of the Western Wall of the Temple as a place where men and women can pray together.
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The sexes have traditionally been separated at the Western Wall, and Orthodox Jews are determined to maintain that separation. But reformers have challenged the policy, provoking scuffles at the sacred site. The Israeli government has urged protesters to avoid confrontations, promising to work out a compromise.
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Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Nov. 05, 2016 10:48 PM ET USA
One of the more striking situations that I observed at Sabbath worship in an Orthodox synagogue was the "wall" or railing of separation between women and men. At that synagogue, a physical railing (like a communion railing) confined all the women to one side of the space and all the men to the other. "Traditions of men."