Archive for July 2018
The Western Wall: A Poem
This poem by Anthony Shacknofsky conveys the significance of the Western Wall through a poetic summary of the history of this sacred site, from the days of the Temple, through destruction and exile, to
A Selection of Yehuda Amichai’s Poems About Jerusalem
This post offers the English translation of a selection of poems about Jerusalem, written by the iconic poet, Yehuda Amichai, who spent much of his life in the city. Some of the poems mention
Footage from the Liberation of the Western Wall and the Temple Mount in 1967: “The Temple Mount is in Our Hands”
This short video from the Israel Defense Forces presents actual footage from the historic moment when Israeli soldiers overcame Arab troops and reached the Western Wall during the Six Day War in 1967.
Quotes from Israeli Leaders Upon the Liberation of the Western Wall in 1967
An excerpt from a longer article about the liberation of the Western Wall in the Six Day War in 1967 and the Israeli commitment to preserving freedom of worship for all at Jerusalem’s
Haim Hefer: The Paratroopers Are Crying
In this moving poem, Israeli songwriter, poet and writer, Haim Hefer, poetically describes the historic moment of the liberation of the Western Wall by Israeli paratroopers in the Six Day War in 1967. The
The Ancient Significance of Mount Moriah
This article briefly lists some of the ancient biblical stories that allegedly took place on Mount Moriah (later known as the Temple Mount), according to Jewish tradition. Although the Torah does not explicitly
An Archaeological Approach to the Significance of the Western Wall & The Temple Mount
In this informative video (4:50), Ze’ev Orenstein, the Director of International Affairs at the City of David, presents the historical and biblical significance of the Western Wall and the Temple Mount. Filmed at the Southern Wall
How to Visit Jerusalem’s Western Wall
This video offers six steps for visiting the Western Wall, including tips for appropriate dress and behavior, what to call the site, and popular customs for what to do once there. Although there
What is the Western Wall?
This short introductory video briefly summarizes the historical and religious significance of the Western Wall, the holiest site in Jewish tradition, also mentioning its role in modern political and religious controversies. This video
Rabbi Sacks on Jerusalem: The 50th Anniversary of Reunification
In this moving video (7:15), Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, the previous Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, tells the moving story of the Jewish love affair with Jerusalem. He describes how the Jewish people never