The Western Wall: A Symbol of Hope and Resilience
Also known as the Kotel or the Wailing Wall, the Western Wall in Jerusalem is a major tourist and pilgrimage destination. As the holiest site in Jerusalem, and possibly all of Israel, the Western Wall is the only existing part that remains of the Temple Mount. The Wall is an important place to Jews, since they can connect with their faith and feel with the palm of a hand a living part of ancient history. Each Friday during Shabbat, hundreds of Jews and visitors alike come to the Western Wall to pray.
The Wall was originally built by King Herod in 20 BCE during the expansion of the Second Temple. Built with thick white blocks of meleke limestone, the Wall consists of 45 stone courses. Twenty-eight of those courses are above around and 17 are below, creating an immense presence with a larger-than-life feel. After the Six-Day Ware in 1967, two more levels below the wall were discovered. Today, the wall has a massive physical and spiritual presence, and it’s a must-visit while exploring the Jewish Quarter.
Everyone is welcome to visit the Wall. Believers whisper their prayers aloud or write them down on paper, folding them up and placing them delicately in the wall’s many cracks and crevices. One side of the wall is reserved for men to pray, while the other side is reserved for women. For Jews, being part of the tradition is an emotional way to connect with their faith, while for others, it’s incredibly moving to see a tradition that has endured for over 2,000 years. On your visit, you can connect with your faith and participate in the sacred tradition of praying at the Western Wall, surrounded by fellow Jews, pilgrims, and visitors alike.
