Wailing Wall Jerusalem
Wailing Wall - Jerusalem
The Western Wall of Jerusalem is also called the "Wailing Wall". Why is
Jerusalem's Wailing Wall called the Wailing Wall? The
answer dates back to the Middle Ages when the European residents of
Jerusalem found the Jews visiting Israel wailing at the wall to lament the
loss of Jerusalem and Israel, and began to refer to it as the "Wailing
Wall".
These orthodox Jewish men, including the two on the left wearing prayer shawls, aren't wailing but reciting from prayer books while rocking back and forth to concentrate. Prayers are also written on pieces of paper, folded and stuck in the Wailing Wall's crevices, which are full of them.
Near the Wailing Wall, an orthodox Jewish woman explained to me that Jews' earthly religious efforts determine the rewards they receive in the next world. There, she explained, each Jew will be served by 2800 gentiles, who will also get some rewards if they keep another set of laws intended for them. In bidding me farewell, she said she enjoyed our conversation and added, "It would give me pleasure if you became one of my servants." I was about to ask about the remuneration package she was offering but she was completely serious, so I just smiled and thanked her for her kind consideration.
Travel Tip
Israel's orthodox Jews, typically dressed in black, pretty much keep to themselves and avoid contact with non-Jews. If you are a man, refrain from offering a handshake to greet orthodox Jewish women, as the only men they are allowed to touch are their husbands.
These orthodox Jewish men, including the two on the left wearing prayer shawls, aren't wailing but reciting from prayer books while rocking back and forth to concentrate. Prayers are also written on pieces of paper, folded and stuck in the Wailing Wall's crevices, which are full of them.
Near the Wailing Wall, an orthodox Jewish woman explained to me that Jews' earthly religious efforts determine the rewards they receive in the next world. There, she explained, each Jew will be served by 2800 gentiles, who will also get some rewards if they keep another set of laws intended for them. In bidding me farewell, she said she enjoyed our conversation and added, "It would give me pleasure if you became one of my servants." I was about to ask about the remuneration package she was offering but she was completely serious, so I just smiled and thanked her for her kind consideration.
Travel Tip
Israel's orthodox Jews, typically dressed in black, pretty much keep to themselves and avoid contact with non-Jews. If you are a man, refrain from offering a handshake to greet orthodox Jewish women, as the only men they are allowed to touch are their husbands.