Why is the western wall important to Jews Christians and Muslims?

Answer 1

The Western Wall (often incorrectly named the Wailing Wall) is the holiest site in the world for Jews because of its proximity to where the Holy of Holies, the most sacred spot in Second Great Temple, used to be. It is not a holy site in Christianity or Islam.

The Second Great Temple (as built by Prophets Ezra and Nehemiah and improved by King Herod) 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.

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 said above, the Western Wall is part of the esplanade itself (i.e. the retaining wall) as opposed to the Second Temple building individually.

Answer 2

For Jews:

• 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."