At a special session of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate Council held today in the Achar Kosleinu Hall in the Kosel Tunnels, the newly formed Council of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel convened for the first time to discuss pressing issues of halacha in the State of Israel.
The meeting was attended by Israel’s Chief Rabbis, Rav Kalman Bar, nosi of the Chief Rabbinate Council, and Rav Dovid Yosef, Rishon LeTzion and nosi of the Great Rabbinical Court, alongside Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz, rov of the Kosel and mekomos hakedoshim, and all recently elected members of the Chief Rabbinate Council.
One of the central issues raised at the meeting was the current status of stones from the Kosel HaMa’aravi that have been placed in various locations across the country. The rabbonim voiced a unanimous and emphatic position: all such stones must be respectfully returned and be brought for genizah in accordance with halacha near the Kosel, alongside stones that fell during the destruction of the Second Beis Hamikdash.
“The Kosel is holy along its entire length,” the rabbonim declared. “These stones are not archaeological artifacts or museum pieces, but sacred remnants of our Mikdash. They must be treated with the holiness they inherently possess.”
Following a detailed discussion, the Council issued an official resolution stating that any stones originally from the Kosel that have been removed and placed elsewhere must be brought back and buried with proper sanctity near their source. The council emphasized that their kedusha remains intact regardless of location and that they are not to be used for display or secular purposes.
The Council granted Rav Rabinowitz full authority to lead efforts to ensure the stones’ respectful return and proper treatment. This includes fencing off the designated burial site and educating the public to avoid handling or using the stones inappropriately.
Presenting the historical background, Rav Rabinowitz stated, “The Kosel stones are not archaeological relics. They are sacred. According to halacha, they must be treated with exceptional reverence and returned to their rightful place.”
The Council also appealed to Minister of Religious Services Michael Malchieli to oversee implementation of this decision and to establish a formal mechanism for the return of these sacred stones.
The session concluded with a heartfelt tefillah for the safety of IDF soldiers and security forces, the swift return of those held captive, the healing of the wounded, and peace and security for Am Yisrael during these challenging times.

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