The Western Wall, Jerusalem, Israel

The Western Wall, Jerusalem, Israel


The Pillars & Foundations blog has documented exploration of my surrounding communities as well as travels abroad, with a topic focused on the spiritual centers I've had the opportunity to visit.

Recently I completed a trip to Israel and my goal is to document several of the notable sites during my exploration.

The Western Wall, considered the holiest sight in Judaism, is one of the remaining segments of a retaining wall that made the foundation of the Second Jewish Temple constructed by Herod the Great. The wall is made of enormous limestone blocks and it dates as early as 19 BCE. The Romans demolished the Second Temple, and this segment of the wall was one of the only portions that survived.


I first saw the wall as part of a tour of the old city when we were in the Jewish Quarter. One stop on this journey provided a great view of the area. To get close to the wall one must go through a security check. Once through the check there is an outer area (closest to the point of view here, just after the construction), and then there are two sections close to the wall, for men (left), and for women (right). Another item of note is the bridge which takes you above the women's area to the right, and provides access to the Temple Mount, now the dome of the Rock. Many strict adherents in Judaism consider it forbidden to go to the Temple Mount, and there are warning signs at the security checkpoint. My understanding is that this is less because it is now an Islamic shrine (Dome of the Rock), and more because it is not known exactly where the holiest of areas were where laypeople were forbidden to enter, and because of this, by entering, one could accidentally go to this location. There are of course more complexities regarding entry restrictions that have to do with politics and religious differences and this wiki does a good job on expounding upon it.


While I did not leave a note in the wall myself, I did take some time to meditate on the experience and appreciate the opportunity to visit this historic site, critically important to Judaism, as well as the Abrahamic faiths as a whole. You can see the notes/prayers around my hand. I was discrete about taking this photo, trying to be mindful that his is a holy, deeply spiritual site. It is an outdoor synagogue, not a place for selfies but rather one for reverent reflection. 

Note my long sleeves, we were told by travel vloggers, guides, etc. that modesty for both Men & Women was appreciated, and I made the point to wear some long sleeve linens, however, clearly from the photos, probably only a quarter of the people seem to be adhering to this practice.

This certainly is a site that for me at least, one needs to appreciate in person. Note that everyone is wearing a head covering. This is required to enter the area. Wearing head coverings is intended to cultivate reverence to God, and in a temple or holy site such as the Western Wall it is especially important.

I feel truly lucky and privileged to have experienced this site so important to Western Civilization, and so important to so many of faith.

Text and photographs by George Parks
Sources are embedded in links


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