The Wailing Wall

More to come - under revision! Also see The Temple: On the Grounds, from several days later.

(This is a continuation from the 'Cave of Gethsemane' post - same day, different site.)


It was still early so I went to see the excavated mansions of the Old City, where part of Jesus' trial took place.* I couldn't find it but I did stumble upon the Wailing Wall, the western wall of the Temple where Orthodox Jews pray, apparently because it is closest to the long-gone Most Holy Place, dwelling of God's Presence in the Temple burned by the Romans centuries ago.

On a sidenote - Jesus prophesied ~"Not one stone [of the Temple] will be left upon another." The walls that remain are from the Temple grounds, not the Temple building. The Temple grounds covered 15% of Jerusalem, and were surrounded by crenelated limestone walls. Covered colonnades often used for teaching bordered the inside of the walls, and lead into the expansive courts Gentiles and Jews could gather in. Closer to the center were courts restricted to Jews, and within those the Temple building. Not one stone of this remained after the Romans torched it in 70 A.D.

I went up and touched the Temple wall - wow! It was the most amazing thing, after all those hours, months and books, all that exhaustion, frustration and determination, to touch that Temple wall. I was so grateful that God brought me there. It was like the fruition of everything, the final gift and most gracious reward.


ciao!


I also saw the Cave of Gethsemane and the excavations just outside of the Temple today.

*Approximate, probably or I'm guessing at the numbers and formation.