Jerusalem, Israel – Western Wall Stones in Danger of Falling

Jerusalem, Israel – A routine inspection of the Western Wall's stones has revealed that some of then are falling apart.

The stones in question, are those atop the upper wall – an addition built in the 19th century. The stones in the bottom, which date back to the days of the Second Beis Hamikdash, show no more than minor damage.

Since the Halacha prevents removing or changing any of the Wall's stones, scaffolding will be erected in the area while the damaged stone are reinforced – not an easy feat considering some of them are 42 feet wide and 11 feet tall. Since the weakened stonework is high on the 60ft wall, the danger from any falling fragment to the crowds of the six million people who visit who at its foot each year is particularly acute.

"There is no immediate danger to the wall but the degraded stones must be taken care of," Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the Western Wall rabbi, told Yedioth Ahronoth, the Ynet is reporting.