What are some of the guidelines regarding cutting Kriya at the Kotel for men and women? At what point should kruya be done? Is it a chova if I live in Har Nof, Yerushalayim? What about Erev Shabbos and Motzaei Shabbos? Can I borrow someone’s outer garment and cover my own garments & thereby exempt myself from the Chiyuv Kriya?
Answer:
The custom to tear Keriya upon seeing the Temple Mount, the Kotel, as well as any of the ancient cities of Jerusalem, is sourced in the Gemara (Mo’ed Kattan 26a; Orach Chaim 561:1).
The tear is usually made on the left side of one’s uttermost garment. It is sufficient to make a thin tear by means of a needle or similar instrument. The halachah applies to men and to women alike.
The obligation to tear one’s clothes only applies to somebody who has not seen the Kotel for thirty days. If you see the Kotel from where you live or from where you go daily (for example, somebody in the Mount Scopus area sees the Kotel from many high vantage points) there is no obligation of Keriya (see Piskei Teshuvus 561:3).
If one comes to the Kotel on Shabbos or on Friday afternoon there is no obligation of Keriyah (which is a mourning practice). This does not apply to Motzaei Shabbos.
Another option is to borrow somebody else’s clothes, or to make a halachic “transfer” of one’s clothes to somebody else (this has to be done with a proper halachic transfer (kinyan), a kinyan sudar being the simplest way). Some frown on this practice because it gets round the basic obligation of Keriya, and a preferable option is to wear old and simple clothes that can be torn.
Best wishes.
