Tunnels & Walls

The Western Wall is Judaism's most sacred site because it is considered the last remnant of the Second Temple. It is here that King Solomon (1 Kings 8:41-42) welcomed all peoples to come pray.

The Tunnels

A model of where the Dome of the Rock stood above ground

Jerusalem scholars have always wanted to dig more into determining the precise measurements of the Western Wall and how it was constructed.  It was in the 1980s that they started excavating the Western Wall Tunnels.

Going down down deep into the tunnels

These tunnels expose the full length of the Western Wall, with most of it running below the Muslim Quarter.  We saw how large the Western Stone is: some 45' long by 10' high and up to 15' thick.

From our tour guide (in the checkered shirt)...

to Hannah is how long one piece of stone in the wall was

Below is a section of pavement which dates back to the 1st century, where Jesus likely would have walked on many times as he went to and from the temple.

Touching the sidewalk that Jesus walked on.

Jewish ladies are praying in this room, considered to be the closest spot tot he Holy of Holies.

The Wall

Officially known as the Western Wall, a small section of it is from the original Temple Mount of the Second Temple, built by Herod the Great. It is considered one of the holiest sites in Judaism.

The Wall is segregated with a fence and umbrellas as a divider: men on the left side and women on the right

On the day we visited, there were many bar mitzvahs being celebrated on the men's side. Because the plaza is segregated, the women had to watch from their own side, peering over the center divider. It was a very festive mood, with singing, dancing, and laughter. Bat mitzvahs are not allowed, so it was much quieter on the women's side. Complimentary kippahs are available for the men.

Jews come here with prayer shawls to cover their heads, signifying submission to God; on the forehead is a small book and leather strap signifying loving God with all your mind; a leather strap is on the left arm with a small book on the bicep (near heart) signifying loving god with all your heart; the Jews rock back and forth while praying to signify loving God with all your strength.

Jews leave prayer requests in the cracks of the walls. They believe that their prayers will be heard by writing them down and placing them in the Holiest Place.

My friend Grace, slipped a prayer request in the cracks, asking for a little girl to adopt. Her prayer was answered!

Haredi Jews dress in black coats and have long hair and sideburns; they are devoted to the traditional laws and refuse to compromise the laws to adapt to modern culture or technology.

NEXT UP: The Holiest of Holies