Was In Old City, but Didn't Doven at Kotel

I may have mentioned this before. I'm not a great fan of the Kotel, the Western Wall.

Contrary to popular misconception, it's not a remaining wall of the Holy Temple, sic, there were two plus, nor is it "the  holiest spot in the world for Jews.

The Kotel is the remains of a very sturdy retaining wall of the Temple Mount, which is where the Holy Temples had stood before destroyed by anti-Jewish invaders.

I think of the Kotel as an old outdoor synagogue, which conveniently has an Ezrat Nashim, women's section. The holiness is derived more from the fact that it has been a place of Jewish Prayer for so long. One doesn't need to ritually purify oneself before going to pray there, which is the preferred requirement for entering Har Habayit, the Temple Mount.

What do you think about it?

A "Spiritual Ladies Room" at The Jerusalem Central Bus Station aka Egged

When the new Jerusalem CBS aka Central Bus Station opened, it proudly announced that there was a synagogue.  I see the synagogue in use most of the day for those travelers who have the time to "catch" a minyon, prayer with a quorum of ten men.  Some men just like to sit there and study sacred texts while waiting for their bus.  That's all well and good, but when I wanted a place to doven Mincha, the afternoon prayer, or say T'hillim, Psalms, I discovered that there wasn't an Ezrat Nashim, Women's section.

Apparently I wasn't the only one complaining, and after awhile I discovered that they designated a small room or closet nearby as Ezrat Nashim.  Even though there's no window or visible air vents, I prefer dovening there instead of the waiting area when I have the time.

It seemed to be well cared for during my most recent visit.

It looks better than at the previous visit.  I don't know who actually is responsible for its upkeep, so I'm using this blog post to thank them/him/her.

An Advantage From the Vantage of the Women's Gallery

Honestly, I don't mind sitting far from the action in shul, the synagogue.  I have a great seat in the Ezrat Nashim, Women's Section of our local synagogue.  I'm not looking for honors or responsibilities that the men get.  I don't need it.  My life is full and busy enough.  The "balcony" is far enough away so that nobody has ever complained about my singing along loudly.  Nobody down there hears me.  If I ever have the need to say Kaddish, that will be between me and G-d.  Plenty of females have said it from our Ezrat Nashim.  Nobody has ever asked for a spotlight.

I'm in the front row, center.  It's a crazy story how I got that seat.  My original seat was on the far side, by the wall, in the middle row, third out of five.  I liked it.  I could lean against the wall when we had to stand for long periods of time.  I never had to give it to anyone else when there was a Bar Mitzvah.  Now, I graciously give my seat to the women of families celebrating Bar Mitzvahs and other special occasions, so they can see and kvell.  I tell them that it's no problem; it's just my way of participating in their joyous occasion. It's true.

There was one problem with my old seat.  That row was across from the door and targeted by draughts, cold, cold ones.  I just couldn't take it and complained, begging everyone to keep the door shut.  I was told that I should just wear more clothes, my coat, shawls and scarves.  I'm also terribly hyper and noticed everyone coming in.  Eventually I was offered a new seat.  A neighbor didn't like sitting in the front row.  So we switched seats.  We were both happy with the arrangement.

Now, there's something else I must tell you about my seat.  I can see what goes on in the Men's section.  I can see who is wandering around talking.  I can see who is reading all sorts of things other than their siddur and obviously not dovening.  I can see if it's one of those Parshat Shavua pages, a newspaper or a book.  I can see if the pages are being turned or if the men are sleeping/dozing or just staring into space.  I'm like some sort of spy.  I can see them, but they can't see me.

One thing for sure is that the women who come to shul on Shabbat morning are much more serious about their dovening than the men ever are.