The Western Wall (הכותל המערבי):
According to Josephus’ texts and histories that he wrote in the 1st century, Titus demanded that his Roman army spare the western wall as well as three towers in order to show that the city he demolished was once greatly defended. This would demonstrate the military skill he possessed at the time of the First Jewish-Roman War. The wall supposedly enclosed the western side of the Second Temple which was completed in 515 BCE. Thus, 585 years later (70 CE), Titus destroyed the Temple. The wall is extremely holy to the Jews because it is supposedly just below the entrance to Heaven. It is a great source of hope since the Temple’s destruction in 70, because it is viewed as being intentionally saved by God to maintain his bond with his people. Thus, people constantly pray at the wall through out the day and even slip prayers into its crevasses. Although its Islamic history is mysterious, the Temple is also important to Muslims at least because Solomon is considered an Islamic prophet. Although contested, many believe also that during Muhammad’s flight from Mecca to Jerusalem (known as Isra and Mi’Raj), he tied his horse to a particular wall, believed to be the Western Wall.[1]
(pictures taken from www.bibleplaces.com)
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