Western Wall

Western Wall of Israel

Introduction: For Jews, the holiest site in Jerusalem’s Old City is the Temple built over 3,000 years ago by King Solomon to house the Ark of the Covenant containing the Ten Commandments. The Temple was destroyed successively by the Babylonians and the Romans, and now only remnants of its outer walls remain. The lowest foundation stones on the western side of the wall were built during the reign of Herod, while the facade stones were added later during the Byzantine and Islamic periods. The Western Wall was originally called "Occidental," meaning the European Wall. In early centuries, Europeans believed that Jerusalem marked the edge of Europe, and this wall represented the boundary between Europe and Asia. For centuries, Jews exiled across the world have returned to this wall—symbolizing their faith and suffering—to pray quietly, mourn the lost glory and historical tribulations of their people, and over time it came to be known as the Western Wall. The Wall stands about 20 meters high and 50 meters long, divided by a partition. Men and women pray separately. Before entering the prayer plaza, men must cover their heads with traditional caps; if they don’t have one, paper caps are provided at the entrance. Many worshippers linger, placing their hands on the wall, reciting prayers, or tucking small slips of paper with written prayers into the crevices of the stones. Through millennia of wind and rain, and the touch of countless pilgrims, the stones of the Western Wall gleam softly, as if weeping and whispering.

The Western Wall in Jerusalem originates from the Second Temple of Judaism. It is the remnant section of the wall that survived after the Romans burned down the Second Temple. During the Byzantine era, Jews were allowed to come to the holy city of Jerusalem once a year on the day of the Temple's destruction to pray. Many Jews, seeing that the once-magnificent Temple had been reduced to ruins, mournfully touched the remaining walls and wept. Over time, this section of the wall became known as the “Western Wall.”

The Jewish people have undoubtedly endured a long history of suffering. As early as the 11th century BCE, King David of Israel united the various tribes of Judea, established the nation of Israel with Jerusalem as its capital, and built the Temple of Judaism—the First Temple of Solomon—on Mount Zion in Israel. Later, it was destroyed by the invading Babylonians, which is why the First Temple of Solomon is also referred to as the First Temple.

Under foreign occupation, the Jewish people endured a long period of exile before eventually returning to their homeland. They built a new Temple on the site of the First Temple. Though slightly smaller in scale than the First Temple, it provided the Jewish people with a spiritual home. However, this peace did not last long.In August of 70 CE, the Romans once again destroyed the Second Temple, leaving only a section of the Western Wall. The Jewish people were forced into exile once more, beginning another period of hardship. It was not until the Byzantine period that Jews were permittedto return to Jerusalem for prayeron every Sabbath. Countless followers of Judaism gather at this section of the wall ruins on that day, praying while facing the wall in mourning.

Although grand mosques have been built atop this section of the wall,Jews still regard it as a symbol of their faith and unity.Since then, the name “Western Wall” has become known throughout the world.