Archive for 2018
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
The Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall
This short video shows tens of thousands of worshippers gathered together at the Western Wall for the Birkat Kohanim, the Priestly Blessing, when Kohanim chant three consecutive verses of the Torah, one word at
Selichot at the Western Wall
This short video shows thousands of Jews gathering together for the final night of Selichot prayers before Yom Kippur at the Western Wall. The penitential prayers are traditionally recited between midnight and dawn
Naomi Shemer: Yerushalayim Shel Zahav / Jerusalem of Gold
This popular Israeli song written by Naomi Shemer describes the Jewish people’s age-old yearning for and ultimate return to Jerusalem. Released just three weeks before the outbreak of the Six Day War in 1967, when the Old
Singing Ani Ma’amin at the Western Wall on Tisha B’Av
This video shows thousands of worshippers gathered together at the Western Wall on Tisha B’av singing Ani Ma’amin (I Believe), a song about the Jewish belief in the coming of the Messiah. Tisha B’av –