Kriah after seeing the Temple Mount and leaving

Hi,

One who saw the Temple Mount and did not tear kriah should not tear kriah later on.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:37:4)

[It is not clear to me whether Rav Moshe modifies his position in the last several words, to say that one who feels great pain over the loss of the Beit haMikdash does tear kriah later.]

Have a good day,
Mordechai

Tearing kriah on Friday after midday

Hi,

Some mention a custom of refraining from tearing "kriah" upon seeing the Temple Mount on Friday after midday. There does not seem to be any legal basis for this custom, but perhaps it could be justified if tearing "kriah" would increase one's pain into Shabbat.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:37:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Tearing kriah on seeing the Temple Mount

Hi,

One does not tear kriah in our day upon seeing the site of the "cities of Judea", despite the fact that fear of invasion and control by our foes still exists. However, one does tear kriah upon seeing the Temple Mount, until the arrival of Mashiach.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 5:37:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The memorial mark for the Temple [zecher l'churban]

Hi,

We leave an unfinished space of one cubit by one cubit (21.6 inches by 21.6 inches, per Rav Moshe Feinstein) on the wall of a house, to commemorate the loss of the Beit haMikdash (Temple).

Halachic authorities have frowned on the practice of painting that spot black, since this 'finishes' it, but the practice may be justified, particularly as black is recognized as a color of mourning.

(Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igrot Moshe Orach Chaim 3:86)

Have a great day,
Mordechai