Perhaps the world does not find another place like the Wailing Wall, where each year thousands of pilgrims sought, in order to pray to God, make a wish, or simply touch the history of all mankind.The Western Wall (the second title of the Kotel) in Jerusalem is the main attraction of the religious and Jewish shrine in Israel.
little about Israel
Before we start talking about the Western Wall, I want to talk a little bit about Israel - the country in which it is located.It is located in south-western Asia.The capital of Israel - Jerusalem City.The population - eight million people.Promised Land is also known as Israel, it is the cradle of civilization and the birthplace of three religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.This tiny country is surrounded by forests, seas, mountains, deserts.This state - wept and suffered Jewish people.The historical significance of this place is hard to overestimate.Therefore it is not surprising that Israel attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.Cultural, historical and religious monuments rich in Israel.Wailing Wall in Jerusalem - one of the most important places for all believers.Because every Christian should definitely visit at least once in Jerusalem and, of course, to visit the Wailing Wall.
origin of the name The term "Wailing Wall" is more popular with pilgrims coming to Jerusalem.The Jews themselves call it "Western Wall", the first explicit mention of which date back to the eleventh century and belong Ahimatsu bin Paltileyu.And the name of the "Wailing Wall" gave the Arabs, who saw how the Jews come here to mourn for the destroyed shrine.Now the Western Wall - a piece of the wall remaining from the strengthening of the Temple Mount, where the temple was built - a holy place for the Jews.Subsequently, the temple was destroyed, but in the sacred Jewish scriptures it is said that the Divine Presence never moves away from this place.
Wailing Wall: the size and location
Usually, this wall understand fifty-seven meters of open fragments of ancient fortification wall, located on the western side of the Temple Mount.This part is reserved for prayer and enters the area of the Jewish Quarter.But the full magnitude of it is four hundred eighty-eight meters, much of which is hidden behind the residential buildings.South eight-meter section of the wall is located in the Muslim Quarter of the holy city.At the height of the Wailing Wall is thirty two meters, but the ground is seen only nineteen of them, everything else disappeared with time under the embankments.The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, consists of forty-five layers of stone, twenty-eight of which are above ground and seventeen - underneath.The first seven visible layers are Jordanian period.They are composed of perfectly polished limestone rocks without any bond between them.The average height of the stones - one meter length - from a half to three meters.Each block weighs from two to six tonnes.On the front side of each of the stone panels are very thin thread.
history
In the tenth century BC, the Temple Mount was built Solomon's Temple, which was destroyed by the Babylonians in the sixth five hundred eighty BC.The building of the second temple took place in the first century BC, the Jewish King Herod.So he wanted to rebuild the destruction caused during the war and get the love of his subjects.In the inner part of the temple would not let anyone except priests, so Herod ordered all the holy Fathers teach construction skills.Because of this pre-treatment has taken a very long time.The construction of the temple lasted nine and a half years.And even after the death of the king for a long time were finishing work.But ironically, the temple was again completely destroyed the Roman conquerors six years after the end of construction.The Romans burned, looted and completely destroyed it, and the very Temple Mount plowed.Wailing Wall in Jerusalem - that is all that remains of the grand structure.
Wall in Jerusalem today
Wailing Wall in Jerusalem each year attracts thousands of tourists from around the world.Some come here to pay homage to the Promised Land of their ancestors, someone just wants to go to places of worship and to touch history, others return here again and again, to once again feel the powerful energy emanating from the wall well, and who-That - put a note between the stones with an aspiration.Here you can come to anyone, regardless of faith he professes.There are no restrictions on this point.Only to go to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, it is necessary to observe some rules that will not allow you to break the rangers.First, a man must put on a pile of (small cap).If not, then at the entrance to the square, you can take a pile of cardboard in the basket, absolutely free.Women and men pray on different sides: the man on the left side and the women on the right.To depart from the wall can only be turned to face her - this is the custom.The Western Wall come not only to pray.Israelis are so many holidays and important events mark for themselves in this sacred place.
went from tradition to put a note with regards to the wall
Every year thousands of tourists come to Jerusalem.Kotel (photos presented in the article) receives many visitors to give one hope others - lost faith, and for some it's the last place where you can pour out his heart to God.But judging by how much in the crevices between the stones of notes, most certainly wants to send the message of God, in the hope that this request comes to God faster.The tradition of investing in wall crevices note asking was led for a long time.Legend has it that once upon a time a wise man - Rab Chaim Ben Atar - wrote a note to God to send down his student income.And asked this young man to take it to the Wailing Wall and put the stones.Soon pupil Rabah Ben Haim Atara luck.We know him as a wise man by the name of Hyde.Every Jew is a great believer: how far he was either from home if his thoughts and prayers go out to where the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem towers over the area, it will be heard by God.Once a year, the keepers of the Western Wall rake notes and include the Mount of Olives, where the message is folded in a special burial.
Free delivery notes in the Wailing Wall
And if someone does not have the possibility to fly to Israel and his own to invest in the wall with a note dearest wish, it does not matter.There are websites where you can absolutely free to fill out a form and send the message, and Israeli volunteers, print it will assign to the sacred place.But whatever way you may strive to deliver a piece of asking God, his address is always the same: Jerusalem, the Wailing Wall.Notes of thousands of people annually come to the place where it's always felt the presence of God.
Hotels Kotel
pilgrims rushing to the shores of the Promised Land, will still be interested in pressing problems.Because the question may arise: "Where is the lodge during their stay in the Holy City?" Near the Jewish area has a lot of cozy hotels, expensive and not very much.In half a kilometer away is a small hotel called the New Imperial Hotel.It is located in the historic part of Jerusalem.The cozy rooms have air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a TV.The dining area includes a fridge and a kettle.Breakfast is served "buffet".Prices are very affordable.Another hotel, located near the Western Wall - is the Mamilla Hotel (five stars).On the roof is a panoramic terrace with a wonderful view of the old city.The cozy rooms are equipped with bedding of natural Egyptian cotton sheets, and some bathrooms have glass walls that can be switched on and off.The hotel has many restaurants, there is also a spa.This is an expensive hotel with a luxurious service.Prior to the Wailing Wall is only one kilometer.
Other attractions Jerusalem
Israel is rich in religious, cultural and natural attractions.And one of the greatest Christian shrines is the Holy Sepulcher.According to legend, the sanctuary was built on the spot where they crucified and buried Jesus Christ.After the destruction of the temple was rebuilt in the final eighteen hundred and tenth year.Now the temple complex includes a crucifix on top of Altar of Calvary, a rotunda with a large dome, the chapel Edicule, which was built on the site of the burial of Christ, the underground church of the Finding of the Cross live-bearing, the cathedral church of the Church of Jerusalem KATHOLIKON several limits and the Temple of St Helena.Still worth a visit Church of the Nativity, which is one of the major shrines of Christendom.This church was built on the spot where, according to legend, Jesus Christ was born.Calvary - this is one of the most revered sites for Christian believers.Another worth noting Stone of Anointing and, of course, the Dead Sea.All this and more will appear before the eyes of travelers who have decided to visit Israel.Because neprimeeno travel to this wonderful land.
Conclusion In conclusion, we can say that the sacred land will welcome all believers, regardless of denomination.Arriving in the promised land of the Jews, you will not only touch the history of the ancient people, but also to enrich spiritually.Visiting the Western Wall, you will be able to turn to God through the sacred message, and your requests are bound to be heard.
