Topical Encyclopedia The Wailing Wall, also known as the Western Wall or Kotel, is a significant religious site located in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is a remnant of the ancient wall that once surrounded the courtyard of the Jewish Temple, specifically the Second Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. The Western Wall is considered the most sacred site accessible to the Jewish people today, as it is the closest point to the former Holy of Holies, the innermost and most sacred area of the Temple, where the presence of God was believed to dwell.Historical Background The Western Wall's history is deeply intertwined with the history of the Jewish Temple. The First Temple, built by King Solomon, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The Second Temple was constructed upon the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon, as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Herod the Great later expanded the Temple Mount complex, and it was during this period that the Western Wall was constructed as part of the Temple's retaining walls. Religious Significance For Jews, the Western Wall is a place of prayer and pilgrimage. It is a symbol of enduring faith and the Jewish people's connection to their historical and spiritual heritage. The practice of inserting written prayers into the crevices of the Wall is a longstanding tradition, reflecting the belief in the Wall's sanctity and its role as a conduit for prayers to God. Biblical References While the Western Wall itself is not directly mentioned in the Bible, the significance of the Temple Mount and the Temple is well-documented. In 1 Kings 8:29, Solomon prays during the dedication of the First Temple, "May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that You will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place." This verse underscores the importance of the Temple as a focal point for worship and prayer. The destruction of the Temple was prophesied by Jesus in the New Testament. In Matthew 24:2 , Jesus says, "Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." This prophecy was fulfilled with the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D. Christian Perspective For Christians, the Western Wall holds historical and spiritual significance as part of the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan. The Temple was central to Jewish worship and sacrificial practices, which Christians believe were fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:11-12 states, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He entered the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with hands, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." Modern Context Today, the Western Wall is a place of prayer for people of all faiths, though it remains a particularly important site for Jewish worship. It is a symbol of the enduring hope for the restoration of the Temple and the coming of the Messiah, a hope shared in different forms by both Jews and Christians. The Wall is also a site of national significance for the State of Israel, representing the historical and spiritual continuity of the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland. Topical Bible Verses Luke 21:24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Topicalbible.org Luke 21:20 Library The First-Born How one in the Province of the Northumbrians, Rose from the Dead ... A Few Nights after This, Diamond Woke up Suddenly... In Every Sinful Man and Woman that is Bound in Deadly Sin... The Cruelty of the Idumeans when they were Gotten into the Temple ... Here Followeth the History of Tobit The Land and the People. Who Can Tell? The Fall of Jerusalem. John who was a Torch, Laid Bare and Rebuked the Wanton Ones: they ... Resources What does the Bible say about repentance? What does it mean to repent? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of talitha cumi? | GotQuestions.org Questions about Places in the Bible (All) | GotQuestions.org Wailing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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