Dear Rabbi Simon,
We are living in Yerushalayim for the year, in a neighbourhood called Givat HaMivtar. There is a vantage point, on a path off a side road, from which one can see the Dome of the Rock. [Editor: The significance of this is that the prominent Moslem shrine is built on the Har HaBayit, the Temple Mount, site of the beit ha-mikdash. The mosque is the symbol/evidence of the destruction of the ancient Temple.] However, we cannot see the Kotel—as one normally can when approaching the Western Wall plaza from within the Old City.
My question is, in order to avoid the awkwardness of tearing my garment (as required by halakhah) when visiting the Kotel (which we would like to do next week), may I utilize the vantage point in our neighbourhood and discreetly tear my shirt there? [Editor: The halakhah requires one to tear his/her garment upon seeing the kotel if s/he has not done so for 30 days. There are some exceptions to this requirement.]
Terry
Dear Terry,
Thank you for your sophisticated question. From Sh”A OH 561:2 M”B 7 and Dirshu it would seem that you can choose to fulfil the mitzvah/obligation from afar, if we liken Givat HaMivtar to Har HaTzofim (Mount Scopus, known by this name as it overlooks the Har HaBayit). It would be ideal to bring a siddur with you so you can say the passages to be recited when seeing the evidence of the destruction of the Beit ha-Mikdash. You do not need to also see the Kotel itself, as the mosque alone is sufficient proof of the destruction of the Temple. You should also have in mind that you are fulfilling the requirement of tearing when viewing the ruins of the ancient cities of Judea (since we don’t know exactly where these are in any case).
I hope this is helpful. May the Beit HaMikdash be speedily rebuilt. Am Yisrael Chai!
Best wishes
Rabbi Rashi Simon