Wailing Wall
Western (wailing) wall
This is the retaining wall of the huge platform where both Solomon and Herod built their temples. Only a portion of this wall was preserved by the Romans when they destroyed the city in 70AD. This is a most holy spot for the Jewish people because it is the closest location to the holy of holies. They gather at this spot to pray, write prayers on little pieces of paper and stick them in the cracks of the wall. They have their prayer books in which they recite specific prayers for specific times of the day and specific days. When they pray they sway back and forth. This is to show God that they are alive, human and not a statue so God will listen to their prayer. In times past they would gather there to wail the loss of the holy city and the destruction of the temple. Security now is very tight in this place and everyone needs to be scanned before they can enter the area. Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays they have bar mitzvah and the entire family comes to the wall to celebrate. The young boy celebrating his bar mitzvah is usually escorted to the wall in a parade with music and dancing. Very interesting to see!
This is the retaining wall of the huge platform where both Solomon and Herod built their temples. Only a portion of this wall was preserved by the Romans when they destroyed the city in 70AD. This is a most holy spot for the Jewish people because it is the closest location to the holy of holies. They gather at this spot to pray, write prayers on little pieces of paper and stick them in the cracks of the wall. They have their prayer books in which they recite specific prayers for specific times of the day and specific days. When they pray they sway back and forth. This is to show God that they are alive, human and not a statue so God will listen to their prayer. In times past they would gather there to wail the loss of the holy city and the destruction of the temple. Security now is very tight in this place and everyone needs to be scanned before they can enter the area. Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays they have bar mitzvah and the entire family comes to the wall to celebrate. The young boy celebrating his bar mitzvah is usually escorted to the wall in a parade with music and dancing. Very interesting to see!
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| Men's area of the western wall. The women's area is half the size |
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| Worshipers feel the presence of God is strong here so touching the wall in prayer is very important |
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| Prayers are recited at prescribed times of day and also put on small scraps of paper and stuck in the cracks of the wall |
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| I had to do it! |
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| Ritual washing before prayers |
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| ultra orthodox coming to the Wall to pray |
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| family picture for bar mitzvah |
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| Joyous parade to the Wall for the boy who just did his bar mitzvah |
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