Wailing Wall Surprise

It's our first night in Jerusalem and we arrive just in time for the Jewish Feast of First Fruits. The best place to see the celebration is at the Wailing Wall, located in the old city of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount. It's a remnant of the ancient wall that surrounded Herod's Temple's courtyard and Jews consider it the most sacred site available to them today. After a brisk walk from the hotel, our task is to push our way through some three thousand Jews, many Hasidic, who fill the large plaza that faces the wall.

It's our first night in Jerusalem and we arrive just in time for the Jewish Feast of First Fruits. The best place to see the celebration is at the Wailing Wall, located in the old city of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount. It's a remnant of the ancient wall that surrounded Herod's Temple's courtyard and Jews consider it the most sacred site available to them today. After a brisk walk from the hotel, our task is to push our way through some three thousand Jews, many Hasidic, who fill the large plaza that faces the wall.

     Our group must divide up by gender since a partition divides the wall into the men's and the women's sections. I lead our group of about 20 women since I've been here before. Some of them stand back afraid to break into the crowds of singing, praying, and rocking women. Others attack the experience with gusto. The goal is to make our way to the wall and take our turn praying there. Jews believe that here at the wall they are the closest to God, since this location is nearest to the ancient Holy of Holies where they believe God dwelt. For example, some believe that if they pray for forty consecutive days at the Wall, they will find their soul mate. We aren't looking for a soul mate, just a time to draw close to the heavenly Father we all share and love.
     Before we dive into the river rushing toward the wall, I remember the practice of placing slips of paper containing written prayers into the crevices. I stop and explain the practice to our group, who take out pen and paper to feverishly scribble heartfelt prayers to God. Suddenly a Hasidic man, black hat and long curly sideburns, runs toward us waving his arms and shouting, "No, Shabbot, No, Shabott!" We look at him puzzled. He darts away to find  a woman who speaks English who informs us that writing is not permitted on the Sabbath, which is now beginning as the sun sets behind us. She gently explains that writing is work and God will hear our prayers whether they are written down or not, but we may go out the exit to write them and return if we like. When she leaves, most of our women quickly finish writing their prayers. A few crumple their unfinished work into their purses.
      After we make our way to the wall, spend some time in fervent prayer, and insert our paper slips into the crevices, we back away as is customary and gather in the courtyard to consider the experience. We have much in common with these Jews. We both love God the Father. But we are also quite different. We love Yeshua Hamashiach and they don't. We enjoy a freedom and assurance that they cannot fathom. We try to remain respectful of the strict adherence to the myriads of laws, like you can wear yourself out walking on the Sabbath but you can't ride in a car, because it is work, just like writing is work.  But we snicker under our breath as we discuss these ancient customs, written by rabbis to build a fence around the law so Jews will never again be sent into exile. We understand, yet we don't.
     That night, I lay awake thanking God that I'm not shackled by legalism, but also praying for these wonderful devout people that I can't help but love and respect.  I pray with them for peace for Jerusalem and for them a peace with God that will eliminate these endless rituals and rites, laws and regulations. I pray for them Yeshua Hamashiach.  
     (To see a video cam of the Wailing Wall right now and even write a prayer they will insert in the Wall for you, go to english.thekotel.org)