AT THE WAILING WALL 

Today we had the chance to visit the Wailing Wall, or more properly called the Western Wall.  This is a very holy site for the Jews.  Many believe that this is the last remnant of the Temple.  In actuality, this wall is really just a retaining wall that supported the temple mount, the ground on which the Temple was built.  The wall itself seems to be arbitrary. It is what the wall stands for and has come to mean that makes it such a powerful place of prayer. Because the Muslims control the actual Temple Mount, the wall is the closest that the Jews can get to the actual Temple site in order to pray. The Jews come to this spot to lament the destruction of the temple and pray for its speedy restoration.  When visiting one can see literally thousands of prayer requests to God written and placed in the cracks of the wall. The place has developed into a place of prayer that is much more than simply lamenting the Temple. Now faithful Jews use this place for many types of intercessory prayer as well as other liturgical events as well.

            During our visit we were given the chance to pray at the wall; some of us even took the time to write our own prayer intentions and place them in the wall as well.  For many of us this was a powerful moment.  It was an opportunity to unite with our Jewish brethren in prayer.  I am sure it will be a moment few of us will forget.