What is the procedure when arriving at the Western Wall?
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Question
What is the procedure when arriving at the Western Wall?
Answer
When arriving at the Temple Mount, one says: "Our holy and glorious house, where our ancestors praised You, has become a burning ruin, and all our precious things have turned into desolation." Then, a tear is made in the garment. After that, one recites [without name and kingdom]: "Blessed is the True Judge, for all His judgments are just and true, the Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice, a God of faithfulness and without iniquity, righteous and upright is He, and You are righteous in all that comes upon us. A Psalm of Asaph: O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; they have defiled Your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. They have given the dead bodies of Your servants as food to the birds of the heavens, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth. They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury them. We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us. How long, O Lord? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You, and on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name. For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his dwelling place. Do not remember against us former iniquities; let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, for we have been brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us, and forgive our sins for Your name's sake. Why should the nations say, 'Where is their God?' Let it be known among the nations in our sight, the avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed. Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You; according to the greatness of Your power, preserve those who are appointed to die. Return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord. So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; we will show forth Your praise to all generations."
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