Western Wall

Western Wall

The Western Wall is the western portion of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount where the Temple stood. The Hebrew for Western Wall is ha-Kotel ha-Ma'aravi, although it is usually called simply ha-Kotel, the Wall. Over the years, since the Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, we have had intermittent access to the Wall depending on who was controlling Jerusalem at the time.

In the 1530's Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire added on to the existing wall and gave the Jewish people freedom to worship.

From 1947 until 1967, during Jordanian rule over the Old City, no Jewish people were allowed at the Western Wall. On the third day of the Six-Day War, on June 7, 1967, the Israel Defense Force liberated the Kotel. Since that time it has been open to the public.

Today the visible section of the Western Wall at the Western Wall Plaza is 57 meters (187 feet) long and about 18 meters (59 feet) high. But the full length of the Western Wall is actually 488 meters (1,600 feet) long! And the full height of the wall from its original foundation is 32 meters (105 feet) tall! Almost 90 percent of its length and 40 percent of its height is not seen from the Western Wall Plaza.

Millions of visitors come to the Western Wall in Jerusalem every year to pray, read from the Torahs, and insert pieces of paper with prayers written on them into the slots between stones. Many soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces pledge their loyalty to Israel at the Western Wall. Thousands of people come to celebrate their bar and bat mitzvah at the Wall.

Originally from:  Jewish Discoveries by Jeff Zaremsky, pages 240-241, which contains a total of 22 fascinating chapters of biblical history and lessons plus 25 rich Jewish tradition sections, and 27 powerful testimonies, with over 40 beautifully rendered professional works of art all on over 300 jam packed pages.  You can own this treasure by visiting www.Jewishheritage.net

Related Articles

More From Traditions

Second Day of Festivals

Once the Beth Din had evidence that the new moon had been seen, (see FIXING THE CALENDAR) a new…
Second Day of Festivals

Schlep

Apart from its definitive meaning and use, this schlep video is a parody of Uber and Lyft taxi…
Schlep

Adopt a Jewish Mother

Rent a son! In Japan people actually hire someone to be a “father” or “friend” for a day.
Adopt a Jewish Mother

A Salty Jewish Tradition

The Torah says “And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall…
A Salty Jewish Tradition
Hebrew letters spell the word Toda that means thank you.

Hebrew for You - Toda

How do you express gratitude when someone does something special for you? Do you say thank you?…
Hebrew for You - Toda

Mikvah-Jewish Tradition

A mikvah, מקווה, is an immersion pool that is used for ceremonial cleansing.
Mikvah-Jewish Tradition

Shabbat Candles

One of the most well known Jewish customs connected with the observance of Shabbat (the…
Shabbat Candles

Mezuzah

A mezuzah is a little box that is nailed to the doorpost of a Jewish home. The Hebrew word…
Mezuzah
Mekhitza

Mekhitza-Jewish Tradition

A mekhitza is a dividing wall or barrier that is used to separate men and women. It could be…
Mekhitza-Jewish Tradition

The Jewish Calendar

LUNAR-SOLAR CALENDAR The Jewish calendar is based mainly on the phases of the moon; but it also…
The Jewish Calendar

Jewish Guide to Shiva Practices

Shiva is a weeklong mourning period following the burial of an immediate relative in a Jewish…
Jewish Guide to Shiva Practices

Seinfeld: Jewish Food

You will get a real laugh from this excerpt from the show Seinfeld.
Seinfeld: Jewish Food

Redemption of the First Born

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Look, I have chosen the Levites from among the Israelites to…
Redemption of the First Born
Mezuzah on the Doorpost

Mezuzah on the Doorpost

If you visit a Jewish home one thing that you may see is a mezuzah. A mezuzah is a small…
Mezuzah on the Doorpost

How to Make Kiddish

Kiddush, like candles, sanctifies the Sabbath. Making kiddush is a simple religious act that…
How to Make Kiddish

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.


donation