The Western Wall
None
Question:
Why is the Western Wall considered to be a holy site? As we know, the “Kotel” (the Western Wall) is the external wall that surrounded the Holy Temple during a relatively later period. It is not part of the Temple itself. Turning the Kotel into a holy site took the rightful place of the Temple Mount within Judaism, and thus the Temple Mount’s significance was diminished over time.
If I’m not mistaken, it wasn’t today’s Kotel that was holy, but the Kotel (literally, wall) of the Temple itself. “The Divine Presence never moves from the Western Wall.” However, this doesn’t refer to the structure which we now call “the Western Wall.” Instead, it refers to one of the walls of the Holy Temple itself. -- Oren, Herzliya
Answer:
The Kotel is part of the support system built by King Herod during the Second Temple period, when he did major renovations to the Temple Mount and the Temple itself.
You can find more information on the Kotel’s official website (www.thekotel.org).
Since the Kotel is one of the only remaining relics of the destroyed Holy Temple, it became a focal point for the prayers and tears of countless Jews throughout the ages. Questions about the Temple’s precise location atop the Temple Mount as well as security-related confrontations meant that the Jews were unable to pray together on the mountain itself. (To our great sorrow, these issues have yet to be resolved.) Therefore, prayers and services were held at the Kotel.
When Jerusalem was liberated during the Six Day War, the Temple Mount fell into the Israeli government’s hands like a burning, hot potato, and the State was faced with the challenge of find a nationally and internationally accepted solution.
The Kotel never replaced the Holy Temple within Jewish thought. Although this substitution did occur – at least somewhat – within the Zionist ethos, the Jewish liturgy never changed. Furthermore, the importance of the Temple Mount has also not diminished with time.
Three times daily, at the Seder, and on every holiday and festival, we recite numerous prayers which are clear evidence of our continued longing and yearning for the destroyed Temple. The problem is that the Second Temple was destroyed due to “sinat chinam” (baseless hatred), and unfortunately, this issue continues to haunt us.
We know that we can’t rebuild the mountain without a broad national consensus, but not because of security considerations. Rather, at its core, the Temple is meant to serve as the national center for the service of God. The Temple belongs to everyone – not just to one party or faction. We still have far to go in order to achieve this concept of “everyone”.
“I will bring them to My holy mount, and I will cause them to rejoice in My house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be acceptable upon My altar, for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations.” (Isaiah 56)
(Rabbi Dror Brama)
