The Wailing Wall (Western Wall) in Jerusalem’s Old City
The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City is also known as the Western Wall. I paid a visit to the Wailing Wall on my very first trip to Israel and it was such a special experience.
Wailing Wall
My visit to Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall was long-awaited. I grew up in a Catholic family and read the stories of the Holy Land as a child. Fast forward to adulthood and I now have a Jewish fiance’ who grew up in Israel, which makes it all even more interesting to me as an adult.
Isreal is a country I’ve been curious about for quite some time. Within our time frame, I wasn’t able to explore all that I wanted to. However I did get to experience the Wailing Wall, and I’ll definitely be back soon to explore the rest.
The Wailing Wall, which is actually named the Western Wall, got its nickname because of the people that cry (wail) at the foot of it. It’s considered to be the Holiest place in all Jewish culture. The Old City of Jerusalem was completely destroyed and rebuilt nine different times. The Wailing Wall is the one thing that remained through it all.
It is also believed by many that the wall itself cries, but scientists haven’t bee able to explain the tear like water drops that have been seen on the Wailing Wall. The last time this reportedly happened was in 1940. This Wailing Wall is quite mysterious. I wanted to go and see it for myself.
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Old Meets New in Jerusalem
Jerusalem wasn’t exactly what I expected it to be when I arrived. In my mind, I pictured an old city from another time, and part of it was. The Old City also happens to be right next to a very large shopping mall. I suppose that’s what happens after a couple of thousand years. After driving through downtown Jerusalem, we parked at the mall and walked through the aisles of shops to the Old City.
Jerusalem
To get to the wall you must also pass through the endless bazaar of colorful shops. There are thousands of trinkets and souvenirs here. You can bargain with the vendors if you spot something you adore. At the end of the bazaar, they split you up by religion. Here you must choose if you are Jewish, Christian or Muslim before passing through a metal detector.
Bazaar
You’ll also be split up by gender. Men and women are not allowed to pray together here at Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall. The wailing wall is broken down into male and female sections. The male section allows for celebrations, prayer, singing, and feasting while the women’s section only allows for praying and leaving prayer notes in the cracks of the wailing wall.
Arriving to the Wailing Wall
When I finally arrived at the wailing wall there were so many guards and soldiers walking around with large guns in plain sight. I suppose it is very protected. You can understand why it’s the kind of place where terrorists may choose to attack.
Soldiers & Guards were never far from the famous Wailing Wall
For hundreds of years, people of all cultures have been bringing their prayer requests to the Wailing Wall. Prayers are written on a tiny piece of paper and inserted between the cracks of the wailing wall. It is believed that all prayers placed here will come true. If you are unable to visit, you can actually hire someone to deliver your wailing wall prayer request for you. These notes are removed twice a year from the wailing wall and buried on the Mount of Olives.
When visiting the Wailing Wall, you should have your prayer ready. There is no paper and pen waiting there for you. I managed to fit my prayer on a tiny piece of paper. Your prayer needs to fit in the tiniest crack of the wailing wall and it can be tough to find an open spot among the hundreds of prayers. The cracks are pretty full, so the smaller the better.
Among the women and children, I waited my turn to pray at the wailing wall. When I placed my hands gently on the cool stone, I felt such strong energy emanating from the wailing wall, similar to breathing or even a pulse. The wailing wall felt as if it were alive.
I sto0d there for a moment and lay my head on the wailing wall to absorb its energy where I could feel it coming through me. It was as if the wailing wall and I were somehow connected. I wonder how many others have felt this experience. I reread my prayer and sealed my intention before choosing a small crack for its home.
My Prayer request at the Western Wall
As I walked away there were people who remained there to sit, pray or read their Bibles. There was a special celebration on the male side and young boys were dressed in gold capes.
There is a unique vibe in the Old City of Jerusalem and I left with such a feeling of peace. If Israel is on your travel list, then I hope you’ll visit the Wailing Wall and experience this peace for yourself.
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