What is the Western Wall?

The Western Wall is one of the most iconic religious sites in the world. Tens of thousands of Jews travel there to pray. But what is the Western Wall?

Twitter: @ andrewmarkhenry

Sources:
Jodi Magness, "Archaeology of the Holy Land."

Clashes with Women of the Wall:

Clearing of the Moroccan Quarter:
Thomas Philip Abowd, "Colonial Jerusalem," p. 124-125

Photo credits:

Women praying at the Wall: WikiCommons, Yochi Rappeport
Women at the Wall, WikiCommons, Britchi Mirela,

[merrittanimation]

I'd never noticed the different layers of the wall before. Archeology is fun.

[GeneticallyModifiedSkeptic]

Excellent as usual! I’ve visited the wall a few times and yet every time I watch videos or read about it, I discover there’s even more to be learned.

[selwynkatz]

Two Jews were praying at The Wall. .the one ultra orthodox was swaying too and fro...banging his chest...his head against the stone wailing and stuffing notes into the cracks. The onlooker along side of him..not so religious asked him "Why all the fuss...what are you praying for?"...the orthodox Jew replied " I'm praying for world peace..the building of the third temple...the messiah to come..health and wealth for my family" " Oh really so what do you think so far?"...asked the onlooker...the orthodox replied..."Well it's like talking to the wall !!!!"

[TeacherLenon]

I visited the Western Wall some years ago, and even then I didn't get as much information as in this video.
Congrats man!

[BrianPurcell]

More detailed info on the wall then I've ever seen. Thanks! Having the photos and pointing to the details really helps. I also never knew there were different time period of layers.

[ThatBernie]

It’s interesting that the practice of praying at the Western Wall is comparatively “recent” (well I guess some 500 years isn’t that recent, but compared to the entire history of Judaism it kind of is). It just goes to show how religion is constantly changing and evolving, and practices that one assumes stretch far back into the mists of antiquity sometimes actually have a more recent origin than you might have thought.

[WWZenaDo]

As a child growing up in an area with multiple 14, 000-foot [4, 267 meters] peaks within easy view of our various houses, it always astounded me that this is situated upon something that is called a "mount" or "mountain".

[DonAmaTV]

Very informative vlog. Overflowing gratitude.

Much appreciated.

God bless you more.

[friedtaters]

i thought it was called “the wailing wall”

[TheVelvetIris]

It's actually pronounced KOtel ( the emphasis on the first syllable). It means literally "wall". There was s a rabbinical saying in the Talmud about the Shechina (the spiritual presence of God) never leaving the western wall. ( I'm an Israeli Jew)
Your videos are great! When you come back to Israel you're very welcome to get in touch and see some of the Shomron, where we live. The Shomronin ( Samaritans) are only 20 minutes away from us :)

[GaviLazan]

Well done! I wish this was even longer so you could get into more detail regarding history and the complexity of the Kotel. But this is a great introduction for those who don't know about it.

[DavidMaurand]

"where Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac." I would love to see your treatment of this as the foundational story of Judaism - which I first heard from Elie Wiesel.

[Asf-bjrw]

“Cut into bedrock on the north side”
Year right, we all know you can’t break bedrock.

[albertohernandez]

I'm interested are you going to do a video about the Church of the Holy Selpuchure next ?

[AntonNb]

It's not the temple location, the temple is located at city of David.. Dome of the rock was a Roman Barack

[JennyFB]

When I went to Israel, a bunch of people gave me notes to place in the Kotel, one of the most amazing things I've ever gotten to do. 🙂

[evasoilleux]

Well done my dudes this helped me and my students a lot

[tehnik]

good video as usual.
Since it's been months I'm compelled to ask, have you dropped the American national religion series?

[jasondamodred]

Your videos are very well produced and informative! Please keep up the great work.

[benjaminmiller]

Your channel is so great, thanks for what you do.