Ask the Rabbi

  • Family and Society
  • The Kotel and Temple Mount

Removing Shoes at the Kotel

undefined

Rabbi Elchanan Lewis

18 Tevet 5765
Question
What is the source of the old Minhag of removing ones shoes at the Kotel and why did the practice fall into disuse?
Answer
I did not hear of that old custom but that does not mean it did not exist. I reckon it comes from the Halacha that one is not allowed to enter the temple mount with shoes as a sign of awe (Rambam Beit Habchira 7; 2), and the reason it is not common practice is because it is not temple mount but only the Kotel.
את המידע הדפסתי באמצעות אתר yeshiva.org.il