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It is the last vestige of the Temple Mount. Jews go there to pray and literally "to touch" their history.
- 1) The Western Wall is the last remaining structure of the Temple Mount, 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, Avot 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 teitzei Torah udvar Hashem miYerushalayim - 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."
Renee Dietrich
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoIt is the last vestige of the Temple Mount. Jews go there to pray and literally "to touch" their history.
- 1) The Western Wall is the last remaining structure of the Temple Mount, 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, Avot 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 teitzei Torah udvar Hashem miYerushalayim - 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."
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What time of year do Jews go to the western wall?
There is no special time of the year for Jews to go to the Western Wall. Of course, there are usually more people there on holidays, but holidays occur throughout the year.
Why do you think Jews come to the western wall even though it is a ruin?
It is a remnant of the holy temple. It is a holy site and Jews go there to pray. Often, people celebrate bar mitzvah's at the Western Wall.
What do members of the Jewish religon do when they go to the Western Wall?
The Western Wall (formerly called the Wailing Wall) is the last remnant of the outer wall of the ancient Jewish Temple. Jews mainly go there to pray, but also to visit as tourists.
How do Jews travel to the Western Wall?
If it is a holiday, Jews will walk to the Western Wall (usually from somewhere inside of Jerusalem). During the weekdays, a number of people drive or take buses to the Western Wall.
Where is judaisms holy place?
The western wall is the most holy thing for the Jews ( and even for some chrostens because the western wall is a part of the Jewish temple ) . Because the western wall Jerusalem is holy for the Jews, this is the most holy city for the Jews .
Why do Jews put paper in cracks of western wall?
The Jews put prayers &notes in the cracks
What happens at the western wall?
Western Wall Uprising or the Buraq Uprising, refers to a series of demonstrations and riots in late August 1929 when a long-running dispute between Muslims and Jews over access to the Western Wall in Jerusalem escalated into violence. During the week of riots 116 Arabs and 133 Jews were killed and 232 Arabs and 198 Jews were injured and treated in hospital
In what sacred place in Jerusalem do Jews pray?
The Western Wall (or Kotel).
Who set the Western Wall free?
Jews did after we captured it from Trans Jordan.
What is the importance of the Western Wall for Jews?
It is the remaining vestige of the Holy Temple.
Why do Jews go to the western wal?
The Western Wall is all that remains of the Second Temple, built by King Solomon, and so is one of the most sacred places in Jewish tradition.
Do jews try to visit the western wall at least once in their lives?
There are a number of Jews who make the pilgrimage to visit the Western Wall, but there is no requirement for Jews to visit the Western Wall once in their lives (in comparison to Islam where a pilgrimage to Mecca is required once in someone's life).
