Ahead of High Holidays, Stones of the Western Wall Examined

By United with Israel Staff

A routine examination of the stones of the Western Wall took place on Tuesday, ahead of the High Holidays.

The Western Wall Heritage Foundation twice a year conducts a comprehensive examination of all the stones of the Western Wall – on the eve of Passover and on the eve of Rosh Hashanah. The examination is done manually.

Thorough maintenance of the Western Wall stones is also carried out to ensure a safe setting for the thousands of worshipers who visit the holy site throughout the year, and especially during the Jewish holidays.

During Tuesday’s examination, the stability of the Western Wall stones was assessed. A team of engineers ascended a lift and examined the durability of each and every stone.

The work was carried out under the halachic supervision of the rabbi of the Western Wall, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, along with the Israel Antiquities Authority and engineers from the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, in accordance with the established halachic guidelines.

In 2018, a 2,000 year old slab or rock came crashing down from the Western Wall, nearly hitting a 79 year old woman who was praying there.