0
Western Wall (Wailing Wall)
Located near Temple Mount, in Old Jerusalem, portions of the Wailing Wall, also known as the Western Wall, were built in 19 BC. The construction of the entire wall took generations, and sections were destroyed and rebuilt on multiple occasions. The wall is a site commonly used for Jewish prayer, and is a religious pilgrimage for travelers from across the globe.
198 Questions
Where is western wailing wall located?
Jerusalem, in Israel. It is all that remains of the Second Temple, which is now an Islamic mosque called the Dome of the Rock, built in the Middle Ages. If you can find an online map of Jerusalem, you can probably find the exact location of the Western Wall.
Does the wailing wall have any significance to Christianity?
The wailing wall holds significance as being the only known remnant of the Temple of Jerusalem which is accessible to non-Muslims. Because Christianity is also an offshoot of the ancient Judean religion, the wall may hold some religious significance to some Christians. Jesus was know to had visited this temple.
What do the Jews pray at the Western Wall?
Jews treat the Western Wall with respect, as it was one of the retaining walls of the Temple Mount where the Holy Temple stood before the Romans destroyed it. The plaza to the west of the western wall is nowadays used as an open-air synagogue.
How old is the 'Wailing Wall' in Jerusalem?
One thought:
Over 2000 years .
What is commonly called the "Wailing Wall" is believed to be what's left of the western wall of the Temple Courtyard in Jerusalem. This Temple (the Third one built on this spot after Solomon's and Zerubbabel's) was built by Harod the Great, starting in his 18th year of rulership, and continuing for about 46 years by the time Jesus was involved in his ministry in 30CE(John 2:20). Though the actual Temple sanctuary took just 18 months to build, the courtyards and surrounding buildings continued to be built up to about 6 years before the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem itself, by the Romans in 70CE.
The Western Wall or 'Kotel' is the remaining wall of the second temple, which the Romans destroyed in AD 70. Today it is a holy site for Jews; we pray there and there is also a custom whereby we can insert a prayer note into the cracks between the stones. Anyone can do this, no matter what their faith. Bar and Bat mitzvahs also take place sometimes at the Kotel. It is a unique and wonderful place and the atmosphere is amazing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 do Muslims regard the Western Wall as sacred?
King Abdullah I of Jordan had control of the Old City of Jerusalem at the end of the Arab-Israeli War of 1948-1949. Out of spite to his Israeli enemies, he forbid access to the Western Wall not only to Israeli citizens, but to Jews from all countries. He also ordered all Jews living in Jordan to flee. They had no interest in allowing people of all religions to access their holy places. It was only when Israel conquered the Old City of Jerusalem in 1967 that the Western Wall was reopened to Jewish worship.
Can women pray at the Western Wall?
There has been ongoing debate about this for a long time and so far there is still no firm answer. Women do go to the wall and pray, however they are often harrassed by people who believe that they shouldn't.
___________
There is a woman's section at the Wall and no one is harassed there.
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.
Is the wailing wall in Israel?
In Jerusalem, Israel.
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 as commanded (Leviticus 1-7) 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 Torah-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.
As a result of the historical connection between the Jewish people, God and the Holy Temple, the Western Wall is representative of the connection with the Divine. In addition, the Temple was seen as the source of Divine Law, as demonstrated in many Jewish prayers: "Ki miTziyon tetze 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 a 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.
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.
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. 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.
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."
What time of year do Jews visit the western wall?
No. Although organized prayer services are held 3 times a day, and 4 times on Shabbat and certain holidays.
In which city would you find the wailing wall?
There is no such thing as a wailing wall. This term is a mistake made by non-Jews when they first saw the Jewish style of prayer at the Western Wall.
The Western Wall is located in Jerusalem, Israel.
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.
Why has the wailing wall become a pilgrimage place?
1. The name 'wailing wall' was coined by the British as an insult to Jews. The correct name is Western Wall or Kotel.
2. The Western Wall is the last remaining part of the Second Temple which is the centre of Judaism. The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism and has been for thousands of years. As such, it has been a pilgrimage place for Jews since the First Temple.
What is so important about the western wall?
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.
Jews generally say prayers at the Western Wall, and there is a tradition of placing notes inside the wall's cracks.
The western wall is so important to Jews because it was the remnant of a Jewish temple that romans had earlier destroyed. When that proportion of Jerusalem came under Arab control, it was difficult for Jews to visit it to pray. Now that the wall is under Israeli control, both Muslims and Jews have access.
What is the western wall made of?
King Herod the Great began rebuilding and adding to the temple in approximately 19 B.C.E (Before Common Era). Though he started it, the temple itself was not completed until 50 years later. A few years after its completion, Romans destroyed the temple as a means to strike back at Jews causing unrest in his state (circa 70 C.E).
Why is the Western wall of Jerusalem sacred?
It's because it's a remnant of the wall that surrounded the Jewish Temple, and is located in the old city of Jerusalem, at the foot of the Temple Mount.
(Note: 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.)
Jews pray at the wall because for many different personal reasons, but in general, it is a place of prayer and hope.
Jews pray there NOT because God is closer to them there, but because they feel God's presense more clearly there.
Who destroyed the western wall?
Actually, the western wall was the standing remnant of the Jewish temple complex that stood in ancient Israel (Judea). The Romans destroyed the temple, but the western wall which is still standing today in Jerusalem, remained standing. Today, it is a place of prayer for Jews.
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.
