The Shulchan Aruch
(OC 561:2) writes that when seeing ‘Yerushalayim in its destructive state’, one
should say ‘Zion has become a desolate desert’ and tear keriah. Upon
seeing the ruins of the Beis Hamikdash one should tear keriah (again)
and say ‘Our house of holiness and glory in which our ancestors sang praise to
You, and all that we hold precious has been destroyed.’
The Mishna Berura
(and others) writes that Yerushalayim is only considered to be ‘in a
destructive state’ when it’s under foreign rule. Thus, R’ Moshe Feinstein
writes (Igros Moshe OC 4:70) that as Yerushalayim is under Jewish rule today, one need not
tear keriah when seeing Yerushalayim. One does, however, upon seeing the
Temple ruins.
While R’ Moshe
Sternbuch writes (Teshuvos Vehanhagos 1:331) that one tears upon seeing the
Dome of the Rock, others (Baer Heitev 561:5) write that it is ideal to view the
Har Habayis itself. Ideally one should try to find a higher vantage point to
accommodate all views.
As one doesn’t
need to tear keriah if he has been within 30 days, some sell their shirt
to a friend while others go to the Kotel
on Shabbos or Friday afternoon (the ‘first time’) to avoid doing so. R’ Moshe
Feinstein writes (Igros Moshe YD 3:52) that one still tears on Friday afternoon, however.
ולירושלים עירך ברחמים תשוב …ובנה אותה בקרוב בימינו
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