The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall and the Kotel HaMa'aravi or Kotel in Hebrew, is the section of the western supporting wall of the Temple Mount, and is considered the sole remnant of the Second Temple following its destruction in 70 C.E.
Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Western Wall, built around 19 BCE by Herod the Great, has become the most sacred spot in the Jewish religion. It was returned to Jewish control during the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israeli troops captured the Old City from Jordan. A large plaza in front of the wall where Jews and visitors could congregate and pray was immediately paved.
Over the decades the wall has been visited by millions of tourists and pilgrims and is often on the itinerary of foreign heads of state who visit Israel. One of the customary traditions for visitors to the Western Wall is to place a small written prayer into one of the cracks in the Wall. It is also where many new IDF conscripts pledge their allegiance to the army and to Israel.
The Western Wall's religious and historic importance to the Jewish people combined with its extreme proximity to Muslim holy sites on the Temple Mount, primarily the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock, has been the trigger for many outbreaks of violence since 1967.
Streisand is currently visiting Israel for the first time since 1984, receiving an honorary Ph.D. at Hebrew University, celebrating President Shimon Peres' 90th birthday, and performing for fans.
by The Associated Press and Dafna Arad 23 comments
From the role of cyber warfare in any future war with Israel, to how the conflict in Syria shapes a future agreement with the Palestinians. Haaretz.com brings you the top 8 headlines of the day.
by Haaretz 0 comments
Just two months ago, police were arresting the very women they protected on Sunday for wrapping themselves in prayer shawls and phylacteries at the very same spot.
by Yair Ettinger 29 comments
Police escort Women of the Wall members into the Western Wall Plaza, who are praying to mark the first day of the Jewish month of Tamuz; dozens of ultra-Orthodox men are protesting the prayer service.
by Judy Maltz, Yair Ettinger and Haaretz 18 comments
Last month, police allowed the hundreds of women to pray, and tensions spilled over into violence.
by Yair Ettinger 5 comments
JFNA board of trustees passes resolution supporting Jewish Agency chairman's egalitarian prayer proposal, saying it will reinstate Western Wall as 'symbol of unity for entire Jewish community.'
by Debra Nussbaum Cohen 1 comments
Women of the Wall to hold monthly prayer service on Sunday, despite failure of Religious Services Ministry to reach regulations on 'local custom' at Western Wall; threatening letters sent to chief rabbinate and Western Wall rabbi warning them to allow women to pray as they choose or face harm.
by Yair Ettinger 4 comments
Women of the Wall deny involvement in the letters to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, saying in a statement it was 'saddened' by the remarks.
by Reuters 9 comments
A multi-denominational representation of leaders discussed the obstacles of the Jewish Agency chairman's plan; some were frustrated that a time frame was not set.
by Debra Nussbaum Cohen 0 comments
Is the self-appointed leader of the anti-Women of the Wall movement, Ronit Peskin, the right person to represent those who oppose the group, or do they deserve better?
by Allison Kaplan Sommer 11 comments
