Israel Diaries: The Western Wall, Jerusalem

Every place we went has it's own personality and vibe. Jerusalem was more of a conservative religious population. The Rabbi and his wife, Ayla made sure to enforce the rule of wearing a long skirt and a shirt covering the shoulders for girls. This might sound strict to some but I didn't mind the rule, this is a home that we are visiting for a short time so we should be respectful to the residents of Jerusalem.  In any case I arrived in Jerusalem fully ready to experience this historical wonder of a city and of course the sacred Western Wall or the Kotel in Hebrew. We entered in the old city from the Jewish quarter, walls of stone surrounded us in memoriam of the days when when the city needed protection against it's many enemies. After lunch came time to experience the wall, and our leaders had an interesting way of doing it.

Many of those on the trip had already been to Israel and seen the wall so the leaders had those who hadn't seen it before close their eyes and have a person who had seen it lead them but just putting their hands on that persons shoulders. At first I was scared walking down the slippery steps but in the end it was all worth it. One we made it to ground standing in front of the wall they asked us to keep our eyes closed, I held hands with my friend next to me, as Ayla told a personal story about how the wall has lead her to realize her path in life. All the waiting and anticipation made me the cherish the moment of seeing it much more. She finally said to open our eyes and look at the western wall. My eyes watered a bit i'll admit. You hear about this place as being on of the most scared and worshiped by all but you can't really take that in until you experience for yourself.  It is smaller than I had imagined but it in much bigger in its energy and aura than I could have imagined. Then we had our chance to write up a prayer and place it in the wall. Just being up at the wall touching it, I felt the energy of thousands who came before me to pray and poured their souls out before this wall. I watched around me as women broke down sobbing, mothers brought their children to experience its power. Some just came to take a selfie with it. Hundreds of notes filled every crevice in reach. Often feelings stay with you longer than the sight you actually saw. I know that the feeling I had standing before the Kotel is one I won't forget.