High Holy Days at the Western Wall
For every Jewish holiday of the year, there is a different ritual that centers upon the Western Wall. At this time of year—the time of the High Holy Days—there are various practices. Before Rosh Hashanah, Jews in Jerusalem visit the Western Wall at midnight or at dawn for the Slichot prayers. During the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the prayer services are supplemented with texts on repentance, and people pray more fervently than ever for forgiveness.
Religious Jews in Jerusalem consider the Western Wall to be a focal point of religious observance—it is the place towards which prayers are directed, and the place that serves as the chief gathering place for every holiday and event. And the place itself is imbued with so much spiritual significance that the air seems electric with intensity. Even people who do not believe in Judaism are often overcome by awe at the Western Wall. The passion of thousands of silently praying Jews, the yearning for the Holy Temple to rise again, can be keenly felt.
There is a common misconception that the Western Wall is the site holiest to Judaism. This distinction actually belongs to the Temple Mount, site of the Holy Temple which was destroyed by the Romans. But because the Temple Mount is so holy, it cannot be approached on foot according to Jewish law. Therefore Jews do not walk on the Temple Mount to this day, and it is instead the site of Muslim worship.
As the High Holy Days continue, the ritual observances at the Wall increase in intensity. The climax is the Sukkot holiday (otherwise known as the Feast of Tabernacles), when thousands of people gather at the Western Wall from all parts of Jerusalem to watch the Blessing of the Priests, where the Jewish people are blessed for the coming year. For this occasion, many people brave the crowds to be part of the celebration. Those fortunate enough to have friends who live in the Old City gather in rooms that overlook the Western Wall, a safe distance from the commotion.
For religious Jews, the Western Wall is the place most fitting for welcoming the New Year.
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