Step by Step

Information and Registration

Tours

Do It Yourself!

FAQ

I celebrated at the Kotel

Donations

General Questions Bar Mitzvah at the kotel Halachic Question General Talit and Tefilin Tefila Reading the Torah Kdusha

Ask Question

General Questions - Bar Mitzvah at the kotel

Text

Page:

1 2 3 4 5

Bar Mitzvah at the kotel

The Southern Wall

4/6/2010

Question: Is it possible to hold a Bar Mitzvah ceremony in the area of the Southern Wall (the Davidson Center)? I would be glad to receive information about the topic. Thank you, Ravit.

Answer:

Hello,

It is possible to hold a Bar Mitzvah ceremony in the DavidsonCenter. You will need to coordinate with them directly at 02-6277550.

Please note:

1. There is an entrance fee.

2. The event is mixed and is appropriate for families who are non orthodox.

3. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation does not provide assistance, logistical help with a Torah scroll and Siddurs (prayer books), or a Bar Mitzvah Guide.

This question was answered by Bar Mitzvah Guide, Ofer Sivan.

Bar Mitzvah at the kotel

Lost Registration Conformation

6/6/2010

Question: We coordinated a Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall for the morning of June 14th, if I recall correctly, it was for 9:30 am. I lost my registration conformation letter. May I receive the conformation letter again? Telephone number: 052-5522121

Answer:

Hello,

If the event was coordinated with us and you received a conformation verification then you do not have to present the conformation verification when you come to the Western Wall to hold the Bar Mitzvah ceremony. All families who signed up appear on an organized list and we use that list for verification. If it is still of importance to you, you may ask for a second conformmation through our office, at *5958.

This question was answered by Bar Mitzvah Guide, Ofer Sivan.

Bar Mitzvah at the kotel

An "Aliya" to the Torah

28/6/2010

Question: Is it possible to get an "Aliya" to the Torah on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010?

Answer:

A Bar Mitzvah ceremony is usually held on days when the Torah is read, which happens on Monday and Thursday, Rosh Chodesh (the first of the Hebrew month), and the intermittent days of the holidays.

We also assist families that wish to hold the Bar Mitzvah celebration on other days. On days when there is no Torah reading the Bar Mitzvah Guide holds the prayer service but as there is no "Aliya" to the Torah and reciting of the blessings, the main ceremony does not take place, which is why we do not recommend it. It still stays a family decision and we are happy to help every family, any day of the week.

This question was answered by Bar Mitzvah Guide, Ofer Sivan.

Bar Mitzvah at the kotel

Bar Mitzvah

6/7/2010

Question: We have scheduled a Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall on August 12th, God willing, my question is whether the celebration at the Western Wall is instead of the Shabbat Chatan (Bar Mitzvah Shabbat) in the synagogue?

Answer:

Getting an “Aliya” at the Western Wall is an important thing and so is a Shabbat Chatan in the synagogue, having both is up to your decision. You can decide to do both celebrations or only one of them, it all depends on your convenience and which “ceremony” is more appropriate for your family.

We will be happy to advise you in a more specific fashion if you specify your needs and considerations.

This question was answered by Bar Mitzvah Guide, Ofer Sivan.

Bar Mitzvah at the kotel

Phylacteries Before or After the Bar Mitzvah?

11/11/2010

Question: My son will become bar mitzvah on July 6th. I can’t hold the laying of phylacteries ceremony at the Western Wall the day after. When can I do it? Before or after his birthday?

Answer:

By halacha you can start putting on teffilin (phylacteries) a month before the bar mitzvah for practice so any time before his actual birthday is fine for that.

Bar Mitzvah at the kotel

Photos on Shabbat

11/11/2010

Question: Can we photograph in the Plaza on the Sabbath?

Answer:

The Western Wall accommodates many types of Jews and with great sensitivity it tries to focus on each and every one. Taking pictures at the Western Wall on Shabbat offends many Jewish prayer goers and so it is prohibited.

This question was answered by Bar Mitzvah Guide, Ofer Sivan

Bar Mitzvah at the kotel

Bat Mitzvah at the Western Wall

11/11/2010

Question: Can we celebrate a bat mitzvah at the Western Wall? In the Kotel Tunnels or any other attractive site? We heard about a tour which includes a 3D video. Is that the Kotel Tunnels?

Answer:

Greetings,

Celebrating a bat mitzvah at the Western Wall is one of the more difficult issues that we deal with here, at the Western Wall. As opposed to the bar mitzvah which includes reciting the blessings for the Torah reading, putting on phylacteries, the bat mitzvah is neglected.

The Western Wall grants a certificate but we don’t have an appropriate ceremony. You have the option to coordinate a tour of the Kotel Tunnels (there is an option for the bat mitzvah girl to guide it herself with proper preparation with a bar mitzvah guide) or the Generations Center, and you can arrange for a tour in the City of David with a 3D performance or in the Time Elevator close to the center of town.

This question was answered by Bar Mitzvah Guide, Ofer Sivan

Bar Mitzvah at the kotel

Afternoon Bar Mitzvah

17/11/2010

Question: Does the bar mitzvah celebration have to be held in the morning or is there an option to celebrate in the afternoon?

Answer:

The ideal time to hold the ceremony is in the morning and the Western Wall enforces this preference by locking the holy arks from noon.
In special cases the Western Wall the needs of the visitors can be taken into consideration but it is essential to coordinate the timing beforehand.

This question was answered by Bar Mitzvah Guide, Ofer Sivan.

Bar Mitzvah at the kotel

Celebrating the Bar Mitzvah by the English Date

17/11/2010

Question: If the English date comes out before the Hebrew date can we hold the ceremony then or is the Hebrew date the only option for determining the date?

Answer:

Greetings,

The mitzvahs of the Jewish nation are related to the Hebrew calendar. A bar mitzvah boy is considered a grown up by Jewish law when he becomes thirteen by the Hebrew date. We use the Gregorian calendar dates for convenience reasons but the date is not applicable to the Bar Mitzvah ceremony.

This question was answered by Bar Mitzvah Guide, Ofer Sivan.

Bar Mitzvah at the kotel

Rainy Bar Mitzvah

21/11/2010

Question: Can the bar mitzvah ceremony be held in the rain?

Answer:

,Greetings

The Western Wall is open and active 24/7 including cold and rainy days.
When it is raining it is prohibited to take the Torah scrolls to the Prayer Plaza. Even one drop of rain could ruin the whole scroll. (The letters in the Torah are written with soluble ink so that one droop of water might erase the writing)

Any ceremony held during a rain spell will be held in the covered prayer section known as Wilson’s Arch.

.This question was answered by Bar Mitzvah Guide, Ofer Sivan

Page:

1 2 3 4 5