A familiar site on the streets of Israel…the juxtaposition of our tiny country’s need for security with the beauty of it’s very rich history, sigh.
Last week before my boys started school, we said goodbye to summer with a overnight trip to Jerusalem. I’ve got some interesting photos to share with you, and today we’ll start with a look at the “Old City” the walled portion of the city where all the inhabitants originally lived, and where the Holy Temple once stood.
The Hurva Synagogue, formerly just a ruin from the war in 1948, has been beautifully reconstructed.
The Kotel, the Western Wall is the first and most important stop. Visitors come from all over the world to this special spot, which is actually just the outer wall of the Jewish Holy Temple that was destroyed thousands of years ago. Nonetheless this wall retains some of the holiness of what once stood in this spot.
The Kotel has a special tranquility that one can’t help but notice.
Men and women pray in separate sections according to Jewish tradition.
These stones have seen and heard it all.
Thousands and thousands of tiny notes filled with hopes and prayers are placed within the crevices. A truly amazing place.
And upon leaving the Kotel I notice for the first time ever (it must have been covered previously?) that this large building, The Aish HaTorah world headquarters rises out of actual stone!
The alleys in the old city are interesting and with many tales to tell.
Newer construction built in 1967 mimics the old arched alleys.
At last look at the dramatic wall which is part of the City of David.
Goodbye old city, we’ll keep you in our hearts and in our minds until our next visit!
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