Kosel Friday night

amother

Today at 5:37 am

Can someone help an American visitor with info of getting to the Kosel Friday night?
How can I order a car to get there?
When would be an ideal time to get there for?
Is there a specific way I should take to walk home? Need to get back to Rechov Yoel in Geula.

Tia

Molly Weasley ↓

Today at 8:51 am

You walk! Follow the hundreds of people walking in the same direction, just stay away from the Arab shuk if you're so inclined

You can go by car or bus, just come earlier. The shops are closed by then but the kosel is waiting!

amother

Slateblue ↓

Today at 9:12 am

As per my Rav's guidelines, I lit candles at home without a bracha & took a cab to the kosel. Made a bracha at the kosel. For the walk back, we just went along with the crowds of 100's of people.

↑ Molly Weasley ↓

Today at 9:53 am

amother Slateblue wrote:

As per my Rav's guidelines, I lit candles at home without a bracha & took a cab to the kosel. Made a bracha at the kosel. For the walk back, we just went along with the crowds of 100's of people.

What bracha did you make at the kosel?

amother

Pear

Today at 10:17 am

I light @ home with a "t'nai" to take a cab after. Which area will you be going to the Kosel from? I like to order a cab in advance so that I know I'll have a cab waiting.

↑ Molly Weasley ↓

Today at 1:16 pm

amother Antiquewhite wrote:

Candles

You had a second set of candles at the kosel that you lit? Very cool. I never heard of that option.

theoneandonly

Today at 1:30 pm

amother Pear wrote:

I light @ home with a "t'nai" to take a cab after. Which area will you be going to the Kosel from? I like to order a cab in advance so that I know I'll have a cab waiting.

Some ppl hold that you can't light al tnai.
A man can light and not be mekabel shabbos so your dh can light for your family that week and then get in the taxi, if that's an option.

↑ Molly Weasley ↓

Today at 1:42 pm

theoneandonly wrote:

Some ppl hold that you can't light al tnai.
A man can light and not be mekabel shabbos so your dh can light for your family that week and then get in the taxi, if that's an option.

You definitely can light for a tnai, the issue is, it has to be a "pressing need". (for example carrying medicine).
Some - including Rav Shlomo Zalman - hold going to the kosel doesn't equal a pressing need and you can't use the tnai to go to the kosel.

amother

↑ Slateblue ↓

Today at 1:43 pm

Molly Weasley wrote:

You had a second set of candles at the kosel that you lit? Very cool. I never heard of that option.

No. I lit at home & made the bracha at the kosel.

amother

↑ Slateblue ↓

Today at 1:45 pm

Molly Weasley wrote:

Which is why everyone should consult with their own Rav.

↑ Molly Weasley

Today at 1:53 pm

amother Slateblue wrote:

No. I lit at home & made the bracha at the kosel.

It seems there may have been a misunderstanding regarding your psak.

The bracha needs to be said at the moment of the action, lighting the candles. It should be said right before or as you light them, contemporaneously with the act itself.

Ideally, we should be making the bracha before lighting the candles, but Ashkenazim have a custom of doing so for technical reasons. However, we still say the bracha immediately after lighting the candles. In fact, we even close our eyes before reciting the bracha to ensure we don't derive any benefit from the light before completing it.

Definitely not after a car ride.

amother

↑ Slateblue

Today at 1:57 pm

Molly Weasley wrote:

There was no misunderstanding. I followed the guidance I received from my Rav, and anyone in a similar predicament should ask their own Rav for guidance.