My first encounter with the Western Wall was completely unexpected. After a day of wandering around old Jerusalem, looking for a way into Temple Mount from the Muslim Quarter (don't try it), my travel companions and I happened upon a security checkpoint, which are not uncommon in the Middle East. We shrugged at each other, slipped our things through the xray and walked through metal detectors. Once through, *BAM* there we were. Seemingly the heart of traditional Judaism. The place hummed with vibrancy, spiritualism and anticipation. The wall itself is nothing especially exciting. It is a wall, a very old wall. Were it not for the circumstance, for the regard paid by onlookers and the big setup of partitions and crowds of people humming, singing and chanting, a visitor could pass by "THE WALL" entirely, not having a clue that this particular wall is the only remnant of the Temples of Solomon and David in Jerusalem.
Immediately after entering the square beneath Temple mount, a group of Israeli soldiers gathered, nearly under my nose and began to form up for a photo. I took the camera from an at first suspicious soldier, but then very friendly when he understood I meant to take the photo for him. Afterward, the soldiers were very accomodating and posed for several shots for me. After the photo, they all joined in a circle and began singing, dancing, and shouting. I was struck by the patriotism, the pride these soldiers had for their nation and traditions.
Visiting the wall itself seemed almost akward. Being surrounded by people who cherish this wall so much, it seemed almost as an intrusion to approach the wall, to touch it and to simply observe.
Did you know that Jews will not enter the Temple Mount? They regard it as holy and do not want to walk where the Holy of Holies once stood, according to their traditions. So you'll see Jewish people at the Western Wall, but never directly above it, on Temple Mount.
Immediately after entering the square beneath Temple mount, a group of Israeli soldiers gathered, nearly under my nose and began to form up for a photo. I took the camera from an at first suspicious soldier, but then very friendly when he understood I meant to take the photo for him. Afterward, the soldiers were very accomodating and posed for several shots for me. After the photo, they all joined in a circle and began singing, dancing, and shouting. I was struck by the patriotism, the pride these soldiers had for their nation and traditions.
Visiting the wall itself seemed almost akward. Being surrounded by people who cherish this wall so much, it seemed almost as an intrusion to approach the wall, to touch it and to simply observe.
Did you know that Jews will not enter the Temple Mount? They regard it as holy and do not want to walk where the Holy of Holies once stood, according to their traditions. So you'll see Jewish people at the Western Wall, but never directly above it, on Temple Mount.
Women touching the Western Wall. The slips of paper in the cracks are prayers.
The wall is divided into two sections - one for men and one for women.
Washing before approaching the wall.
Sunset at the Western Wall.
Amazing!
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