And is then trying to win an argument with himself over that world. Pathetic.

Just when I thought fanatic Ultra-Orthodox couldn't get any lower -- they lower the bar yet again.

The author is clearly using hyperbole just to make his point, which I think is, where will all this change stop? Well, change will not stop. How Judaism is expressed has evolved over the millennia and will continue to evolve. It is time that we got used to the idea. Not all change is productive; some is neither here nor there, just different; and some is destructive, but what is most destructive is no change at all. That's called stagnation.

I can't believe that this tripe was actually published. It is a ridiculous commentary that also happens to be offensive and incendiary. Shame on the editors and publishers of this webpage. I would shame the author but he has shown he has no shame.

The nudity argument will never hold water because Torah does not condone praying in the nude. However, the Torah does not stop women from praying. If the WOW movement have a political agenda and are purposely trying to irritate men, then they should be stopped. Otherwise, let them pray. The "wall" itself is not more inherently "Holy" than Jerusalem itself.

While I am reading this I listen to news reports about ultra-orthodox men attacking a haredi soldier in Mea She'arim. Sorry, but the majority of the public is offended much more by that - and by the scandals surrounding the chief rabbinate, for which Mr. Habertal worked - than by women who want to pray next to what is also for them the holiest place on earth. If he wants to make his outrageous accusations, let him do that elsewhere.

You are denigrating the legitimate feelings of Jewish women under the self-righteous banner of "tradition." But that tradition is borne of a very different era and has little grounding in the fundamentals of Torah. Tradition exempts women from certain obligations based on the premise of caring for children. But what about unmarried or childless women or those with grown children who have no family responsibilities - shouldn't they have the same obligation as men? What about divorced or widowed men who have full responsibility for children, or men who share equally with their wives - are they exempt? Unless the entire Shema pertains only to men, and women are prohibited from affixing a mezzuzah or teaching the commandments to their children, nothing in those Torah verses bar women from the mitzvot of tefillin and tzitzit also. Equating this with public nudity is fundamentally indecent and disrespectful.

stoning to death secular & Christian passers-by. Guess we better take care of the more serious problem first, then deal with the nude women IF it ever happens and not borrow imaginary trouble or slander innocent women.

When you don't have an argument make up something silly and hope someone will believe. Let's try this in the opposite direction. The Haredim are becoming the Taliban, they will soon ban education and medical services for women and will wander round the neighbourhood killing anyone who's beard isn't long enough. I think my scenario is more realistic.

What is the issue? Tradition for those who want that form of self expression and freedom from tradition for those who prefer not. Why was the article published?

You do not own supplications channel to the creator. Shows how ignorant and intolerant you are . You are inciting them to do just that. our kind are sad, do not understand Torah, if they ever really learned it. If they behave badly, disrespectfully or immodestly. then you can talk, but not before Rakah Shame on you, as you bring shame on Israel.

Albeit unintentionally, this article is designed to present dissenters as, "the other", thereby making it permissible to not see them as average women, but as true wackos, with public nudity next. In print this type of thinking makes it permissible to denigrate them. In person, it makes it permissible to throw garbage on them. This same type of argument was made against same-sex marriage/civil unions, by saying "what's next, maybe someone will want to marry a monkey!" It denies any legitimacy to the people as human beings, celebrating life in a different way from the Orthodox way. No, no one wants to show up at the Kotel naked, and it is a true shame that grown men in responsible positions have such childish fears. It's just some women like to lay tefillen. That's all.

Oh wait, they already did that. Halbertal is a tool. Not surprised he worked for the Rabbinate.

They told my family while in a reform shul, to "Take off their head coverings". Needless to say, they were in shock when this was demanded of them. all of the current problems stem from the same root.

Are you actually likening Conservative and Reform Judaism and their customs to nudists? At least by American (non-religious) standards, praying with a Talit and Tefilin is not by any means illegal, where running around naked is generally considered against the law. In many Western countries, there are many popular and well accepted secular movements, which are both popular and do not break the law. First, stop demonizing feminists, and then stop demonizing liberalism. The times are a-changing, liberalism IS happening. get with it cause opinions like this are actually laughable.

Any women over forty or over weight will be banned on Nude Women's Day and there will be no whistling, hand clapping or rude noises by the spectators, this will be a very serious occasion with only pure thoughts in our heads.

There is no logical line of thought to bring any thinking person to reach the conclusion that the writer has. His sexual fantasies belong in some porn publication, not mass media..

and it appears you have little to reveal aside from a prurient interest in naked woman. Why do these women threaten you so much?

When the women go to pray nude, i will be the first in line to watch. This is how to make religon interesting

I think everyone is entitled to have sexual fantasies. However, these are probably best kept private.

I agree there will be looneys that will attempt this in the near future. They will be lucky to leave the area on their feet. The orthodox women will pummel them to a pulp and throw them over the gates of the Wailing Wall complex. Feels like we are back in ancient times and these incidents were very similar to what happened during the First Temple era especially.

And Israel has a new Tourist attraction!

Did nobody else notice that instead of praying east towards the Temple Mount and the Divine Presence therein, these Reform aka Secular Jews decided it would be more appropriate to pray north towards the media? Wonder where their priorities lie...

This law lecturer lectures on "Human Dignity in Jewish Law" at the University of Haifa. He also was head of the chief rabbi's bureau. Which cheif rabbi, the one under house arrest? Another such head, Rabbi Krispel, was arrested for sexually abusing girls in a haredi high school. So, please do not lecture us about morality, purity or dignity, since your office doe snot know much about it.

This article illustrates why the Orthodox can't be in charge of anything. They can't lead a diverse Israeli population who refuses to adhere to their set of customs. All modern versions of Judaism are different than biblical Judaism. Black hats and sheitels, chullent and Talmud study, are all innovations, unknown to Moshe and the Jews who received the Torah. I love all kinds of observance. Orthodox Jews like only their kind of observance. They should have a seat at the table, but should not dominate the discussion.