Attorney General Prohibits Women Priestly Blessing at Western Wall

Jerusalem, 21 April, 2016 (TPS) -- After holding a discussion with representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, Religious Services Ministry, the Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Ravinovich as well as Justice Department officials, the Attorney General’s Office announced that the Women of the Wall organization would be banned from conducting its own priestly blessing ceremony at the Western Wall over the Passover holiday.

Women of the Wall has pushed and advocated for more ceremonial privileges and rights for women at Jerusalem’s Western Wall, such as wearing religious garments and ornaments that are traditionally only worn by men. According to Jewish tradition, only a male priest (a male descendant of the Biblical High Priest Aaron) can conduct the priestly blessing.