Western Wall

I ventured again today to the top of the Mount of Olives and then walked down into the Old City, through the Lion's Gate along the Via Dolorosa, but this time into the Jewish Quarter to watch Shabbat/Shabbos/Sabbath in Jerusalem at the Wailing Wall.

I already had my note written to put into the wall, but as I ventured down to it, a friendly Chassidic Jew (who claimed to be 92) pulled (literally) my suite-mate and I over to the side and had us put on tefillin. He had us praying and rocking, and everyone singing to us in congratulations. It was a truly amazing incident in the shadow of the Western Wall.

I prayed at the Western Wall for all my friends and loved ones, and placed my note inside it.

Then I sat back and watched as everyone came in from 6-8:45 to pray at the wall for Shabbat. Birthright people came. Jews of every shape size and color followed suit. Even the Israeli army took a break and prayed at the wall. Everyone was singing and dancing; it leaves me speechless.

At first, I thought the Birthright trips were being loud and obnoxious but as I stayed longer and longer I saw every age and group do the same chanting and dancing. I don't know if it is the wall or the Sabbath that brings this out in people.

I apologize for the shortness of this post for such an incredible event, but there are no words for it (also, it was, in truth, a lot of waiting around, I am tired, and I have my first headache here.)

There are a few pictures posted below (the ones I was allowed to take):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51452299@N07/