Friday Night At The Kotel
The Kotel, it beckons me; it reaches out to me to pour out my heart on its sun drenched stones. Every Friday night I walk to the Kotel for...
The Kotel, it beckons me; it reaches out to me to pour out my heart on its sun drenched stones. Every Friday night I walk to the Kotel for Kabbalat Shabbat, to greet the Shabbat Queen with song and dance. Every Friday night I am overwhelmed at the sight of so many precious Jews joined together in their desire to express their closeness to the Almighty. Their hearts are brimming with simcha, joy, at the approach of the holy Shabbat, as they spontaneously break out in song and dance.
I understand this outburst of emotion. I, too, feel the same way. Rebbe Nachman explains that being a Jew is ample reason for rejoicing, and while standing in front of the Kotel a person fully feels his connection to Judaism. Baruch Hashem I am Jewish! Baruch Hashem I have God and His Torah to guide me! Baruch Hashem! Baruch Hashem!
But yet, this outburst of pure, holy emotion can be problematic. In their desire to sing praises to Hashem and reach out to their fellow Jew, to hold their hands and dance with joy, many women and girls end up singing at the top of their lungs, dancing beyond the confines of the mechitzah, or dancing in circles together with members of the opposite sex.
Tzniut – Modesty – is central to Judaism and incumbent on both men and women. Our intimate relationships are to remain just that – intimate, hidden from the eyes of others. Our relationship with God is also an intimate relationship, to be cherished and treasured and carefully nurtured.
Yes, as we stand in front of the Kotel, we are overwhelmed with joy and emotion, but we are standing before the King, in the King’s Own palace. Let’s behave appropriately!
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