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- 1) The Western Wall is the last remaining structure of the Temple Mount (not the Temple itself), most of which was destroyed by the Romans 2000 years ago. The Temple was the center of Judaism. It is important to Jews because it was the site of the Akeidah (Binding of Isaac, in Genesis ch.22). While the Temple stood, offerings were made there to God and His presence dwelt in the Holy of Holies and was manifested in a number of miracles (Mishna, Avos ch.5). It was where Jews would go three times a year to celebrate the holiest festivals (Deuteronomy ch.16). Even after the destruction of the Temple, the Temple Mount and adjacent Western ("Wailing") Wall, which still stands, is the holiest site in Judaism. It is hoped and prophesied (Ezekiel ch.40-44) that one day a third temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem and that the Messiah will come to it.
- 2) As a result of the historical connection between the Jewish people, God and the Holy Temple, it and the Western Wall is representative of the connection with the Divine. In addition, it was seen as the source of Divine Law, as demonstrated in many Jewish prayers: "Ki miTziyon tetze Torah udvar Hashem maYerushalayim - From Zion comes the Torah and the Word of God from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2:3), because the Sanhedrin of Torah-sages sat within the precincts of the Temple. The Temple is also representative of the Redemption of the Jewish people from their physical and spiritual exile, because this exile causes the melancholy that the Jewish people experience by being apart from God's presence. The Redemption, which Jews believe will be brought by the Messiah, will result in the Jewish people returning to Jerusalem and the rebuilt Temple within it.
- 3) According to ancient Hebrew tradition, the Temple Mount is the site where God took the very earth from which Adam, the first man, was formed. Read Genesis carefully; Adam was not created in the garden of Eden; he was TAKEN there. The Temple Mount, because it is the first place on Earth where the spirit of God dwelt, is considered sacred, and a direct link to God.
- 4) Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion and the Temple Mount has been its only holy site for 3000 years, ever since King Solomon built the first Jewish Temple there. The temple was destroyed by invading Babylonians and rebuilt at the same site about 2500 years ago. It was then destroyed again when the Romans conquered Judea about 2000 years ago, killing a million Jews, expelling another million and enslaving the remaining million. All Jews who value their heritage feel ties to the holy land, where so many of their people struggled for the freedom to practice Judaism. At the same time, Jews believe that all people should be welcome there, regardless of faith.
- 5) Jerusalem is the eternal Jewish city, and a symbol of a future time of peace. Jerusalem is also the focal point of prayer of the Jews. When they pray, wherever they are, they face towards Jerusalem and specifically the Temple Mount (Talmud, Berakhot 30a), with love and longing. For thousands of years we remembered our exile and prayed for its end. Now at least we can do so from "up close."
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoNo.
The Western Wall is often incorrectly stated or oversimplified to be a part of the Second Temple. The Second Temple was completely destroyed by the Roman General Titus when he conquered the city in 70 C.E. As explained, the Western Wall is part of the esplanade that the Second Temple sat upon (i.e. the retaining wall) as opposed to the Second Temple building itself.
The Second Temple had a large esplanade or plaza. However, as Jerusalem is hilly, the northeastern corner was at a higher elevation than the southwest corner. As a result, retaining walls for the esplanade were built on the western and southern sides of the esplanade to keep it level. The Western Wall is the portion of the western retaining wall that is the closest area to where the Holy of Holies sat on the esplanade.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoYes. The proper name is the "Western Wall", but Non-Jews gave it the name "Wailing Wall" from a failure to understand that Jewish prayer is not wailing.
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoYes.
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Why is the wailing wall a landmark?
It is the western retaining wall used for holding up the esplanade where the Jewish Temple stood. It is a very holy site to Jews.
Where did the Jews build there 2nd temple?
On the site where the first temple had stood, in Jerusalem. The Romans destroyed the second temple in A.D 70, but one wall, the Western or Wailing Wall, still remains and is an extremely holy site for Jews. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The name of Jews holy building?
We don't necessarily have a "holy building" we have a Synagogue which is a house of prayer and study etc. The ruined Temple in Jerusalem is the only building particularly sacred to Jews. That's what the Western Wall or Wailing Wall is, the last visible remains of the Temple.
Why do Jews consider the western wall in Jerusalem to be scared?
There is no such thing as a wailing wall. This is a misnomer imposed by non-Jewish people who misunderstood the dinstinctive style of Jewish prayer, and thought it was wailing. Also, the wall is not scared of Jews, but it is sacred to Jews because it is the last remnant of the outer retaining wall of the ancient Temple.
Why did the Jewish people begin to pray at the western wall?
Because it's the last remaining tangible part of the Holy Temple which was destroyed over 1900 years ago.
What Jewish holy site is in Jerusalem?
The kotel (כותל) or "western wall", erroneously called "the wailing wall"
Why is the Western Wall important to Christians?
The Western Wall is only important to Christians because it is part of the old Jewish Temple. It has little importance to Christians. Of far greater importance are the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Via Dolorosa.
Why is The Western wall of Jerusalem?
Because it is part of the structure of the Temple Mount which housed the Holy Temple.
Why is the wailing wall important?
The Western Wall or Wailing Wall is the most accessible remaining piece of the Temple in Jerusalem that was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70. It isn't the Temple itself, but just the retaining wall that held up that side of the terrace around the Temple. Still, huge portions of the Jewish liturgy are focused on the Temple. Jews are supposed to face the Temple when praying, the daily prayer services in the liturgy serve to recall the sacrificial services in the Temple, and the Hebrew scriptures is, in large part, a history of the Temple. There is much more to Judaism than the memory of the Temple, but much of the rest is layered on top of that memory.
What is the importance of the Western Wall for Jews?
It is the remaining vestige of the Holy Temple.
When was The Wailing Wall built?
There is no such thing as a wailing wall. This is a misnomer imposed by non-Jewish people who misunderstood the distinctive style of Jewish prayer, and thought it was wailing. You are most likely referring to the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The Western Wall was built as part of the expansion of the 2nd Jewish Temple, approximate 20 BCE. It is a retaining wall of the Temple mount that was built by King Herod.
Where is the most holy site for jews?
The site of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. We worship at the Western Wall which is adjacent to it.
