By COLlive reporter
Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a visit to the Kotel in Jerusalem Tuesday night with an entourage of Israeli and Russian security personnel.
Originally scheduled for the afternoon, the visit was postponed to 2:00 AM due to security considerations.
He was accompanied by Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar and his colleague Rabbi Alexander Barada of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia. They were greeted by Kotel Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz.
At the Western Wall, the President offered a prayer and recited Tehillim from a Russian-Hebrew prayer book.
Despite the late hour, bystanders were still around and one of them called out in Russian, “Welcome President Putin.” He got a smile in response.
Later, after visiting the Kotel tunnels, Putin broke away from his security circle and approached the man who had called out to him.
Leaning over the police barricade, the former KGB officer began to chat with the frum Jewish man who apparently is an immigrant from the former Soviet Union.
The man related the importance of the Kotel to the Jewish nation, and mentioned the Beis Hamikdash and Shlomo Hamelech who first built it.
“That’s exactly the reason I came here – to pray for the Temple to be built again,” Putin responded, according to a report on the Bechadrei Chareidim website.
“I wish you that your prayers will be received,” the president added and warmly shook the man’s hand.
A person who witnessed the 3 minute conversation, commented “I guess (Putin) is not as closed and tough as we thought.”
no his not the richest in the world
We’re in Israel and we were all of a sudden stopped and we asked why and they told us Putin was coming and we saw TONS of security and motorcycles and three scars for those people and there were these two guys getting on motorcycles in black and they were peering around…. They looked like they were Mafia or agents or something! It was really cool!
Hmmm I wish I went to the Kotel the day b4 instead of the day after. 🙂 AT least I saw the escort. 🙂
Dont know him well but in yeshiva he was the quietest
Most aidel Chasidische Bachur. Now, putting aside the government of Isreal he is arguably the most influential
Jew in the world and it hasn’t changed him.
He is a Chasid and a manhig Yisroel . B”H
DASVEDENYA MR PRESIDENT, WE LOVE YOU
The only reason Putin is staring up, is to protect his own butt. At any split second, some Arab standing on the Temple Mount area, can fire a bullet. It’s a highly volatile area.
He is more tough and calculating than anybody we could possible know.
He is also one of the few people in the world you don’t want to mess with, take a look at his enemies, not to many of them alive….
If he wants the “Temple” to be rebuilt (and BTW I am sure this whole story was either staged or exaggerated) let him stop selling arms to Mad Mahmoud and the Mullahs.
The temple must be built today, this is a miracle beyond belief.
I must do tsuva.
you should now that putin is the richest person in the world
NO, it’s not that Putin isn’t helping the Arabs. THAT Is what makes this so special and so potentially good. Count the American Presidents who went to Jerusalem (as President). Count the number of American heads of state who have refused to recognize Yerushalayim as center and capital of Israel.
Call it what you may, but in the world of gestures, hand shakes and smiles this is a ‘kodak’ moment. Whether there is any ‘meaning’ from it, hard to know yet, have to see how all plays out.
They have them wear a yarmulke/ kippa out of respect for the site. It’s better they they show respect.
As far as the Rebbe’s books, they’ve been trying for close to 20 years now , good luck .
Putin’s statement– “That’s exactly the reason I came here – to pray for the Temple to be built again” — is truly amazing! Especially in the days immediately following Gimmel Tammuz! I’m blown away, actually!
totally agree with your comments- how can we trust such a chractor?hes backing those arab countries as well as the biggest threat to Israel =Iran.As Jews we must always keep our eyes to whats going on not only on the front but behind the scenes as well.Who knows really what was the purpose of this visit?
Mashiach times!
hopefully he will look differently at the Jewish nation for the better. he might have set up this encounter. and i hope he will be more comfortable with the Jewish people.
putin is tyrant and should not be wearing a yarmulkah
This is the guy that stands behind Iran and Syria. You are an idiot if you believe that he has Israel’s best interests in mind.
He does, however, protect Jews when it is in a non-political manner.
Thank God that Rabbi Lazar has built a close, trusting relationship with the President Putin. If they continue on this way, the new Russia will be stronger and stronger and will gain more brochas with each passing year.
He is fascinated and awed by the fact that The Israeli army is able to keep the evil Arabs at bay, just over that mighty Herod Wall. He is mesmerized at the beautiful, holy, ancient site of the World’s Number One Ground Zero as I call it. It’s a spectacle of bright lights beaming down on the wall and the shiny floor and you can feel the happy vibration of a jewish nation gathered nightly there.
He;s 2 faced. I wouldn’t trust him as far as I can throw him.
I love how all these goyim, communists are wearing Yarmulkahs! How ironic. My Grandfather got beat up for wearing a yarmulkah in moscow…and now the president and all his body guards are wearing one…
maybe the frum jew’s conversation will have an influance on president putin and he will give the rebbes books back!!!!!