Why do jewish people go to the wailing wall?

Answer 1

Answer

The following answer is what some people commonly believe, but the truth is, the term "Wailing Wall" is a misnomer invented by non-Jews who didn't understand the Jewish style of prayer, and thought the people were wailing.

Answer:

When the city of Jerusalem was destroyed, and the temple with it, the West wall was left as a sign of what was once there. They call it the wailing wall in reference to how the temple, once grand, was destroyed.

The Western Wall would have been built sometime between 37 BCE and 6 CE. The Second Temple, and most of the city of Jerusalem, were torn down by Roman commander Titus in 70 CE. For Jews, this section of Western Wall is one of the last portions of the ancient Temple.

The last remains of the Temple have always been called the "Western Wall" in Hebrew, but because the people of Israel shed so many tears there, Christians in the middle ages called it the "Wailing Wall". (Some say the name "Wailing Wall" was introduced by the British in 1917 and was based on the reports of 19th century European travelers who often referred to the wall as the "wailing place of the Jews".)

Answer 2

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."

Answer 3

Simple answer :

Jews go to the Western Wall to express their love to God by being as close as possible to the Temple that represents the connection with him.

It is a place that has a deep spiritual and emotional impact on Jews for a wide range of reasons, so it make's it very easy to "connect" with God, each in his own way.

The Wall itself is just a wall ( referred in the Song of the Songs as it is to be there forever)

Read more:

God is percepted as the source of everything therefore a loving/ever giving parent (giving existence and all dependencies) that's why all the notes, we can ask our parents for anything thinking it is good for us but they will decide what is really the best ) .

Jews are encouraged and commanded to address God (check themselves against the truth- 613 do's and don'ts) in every aspect of life.

Read the interesting part here :

Imagine a drop of water, even though is perfect it has a "starting point" of which it started, this starting point does not differ from other places on it's surface physically but it does spiritually by begin the beginning point unlike the other points.

The other points receive their water by water passing trough the connection point while the connection point receives the water from the drop creator.

(btw this is also the difference between Israel and all other nations)

This "starting point" represents the point "where it all begins" .

This "starting point" connects between the source of the water to the evolving drop.

This "starting point" is a "connection point" between "heaven" - (the principle of the drop existence-spiritual), with "earth" - the actual physical manifestation of the principle .

The drop is the entire Creation and the Temple Mount is the "connection point".

This is the place referred in Genesis as where "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear."

The Western wall is what is left of the Temple which was built on the "connection point".

Answer 4

There is no such thing as a Wailing Wall. This is a misnomer invented by non-Jews who didn't understand the Jewish style of prayer, and thought the people were wailing.

It is the Western Wall, or the Kotel. Every person visits for different reasons. Some to study. Some to pray. Some to make a pilgrimage.

Answer 5

• 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, 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."

Answer 6

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.

You are most likely referring to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, which is the last remnant of the outer retaining wall of the ancient Holy Temple.

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.

Answer 7

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, 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.
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 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.

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."

See also:

Jewish history timeline

Destruction and Diaspora

Answer 8

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.

See also the Related Links.

Link: Jewish history timeline

Link: Destruction and Diaspora

Answer 9

The Wailing Wall is the last remaining wall of the Jewish Temple, the place of God's divine presence. The Temple stood for centuries and was destroyed by the Romans 1944 years ago.

Answer 10

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.