Obligation of Tearing Garments at the Western Wall on Friday Afternoon
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Question
On Friday afternoon, is it necessary to tear garments at the Western Wall?
Answer
One must tear garments until they accept Shabbat (many do not tear, but there is no source for this).
Source
The Pitchei Teshuva, Yoreh De'ah, Siman 340, Se'if Katan 1, cites from the Teshuvot Givat Shaul that one should rebuke and admonish those who are lenient on Friday during the seven days of mourning by sitting on a bench and wearing shoes immediately after midday out of respect for Shabbat, and their custom should be annulled. And from the Teshuvot Shivat Tzion, 20, that at the time the congregation accepts Shabbat, meaning at the recitation of Barchu, mourning ceases.
Therefore, regarding the tearing of garments, one should not be lenient after midday, except when the congregation has accepted Shabbat. In our times, when there is no congregation to follow, from the time one accepts Shabbat, they are exempt from tearing garments.
And those who do not tear, the Chazon Ish said that this custom has no basis, and some justify the lenient by saying that if one wears Shabbat clothes, and if they tear them, they will not have good clothes for Shabbat, it is permissible to be lenient.