The Holy Land 2015: I Touched the Western Wall

Today we visited the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. First off was the Cardo, which was the shopping street back in early Jerusalem times.

Amazing people watching as well

Next came the four Sephardic Synagogues: Yochanan Ben Zakai Synagogue: This synagogue was built first and the size became too small for the congregation. So, next came the

Emtsai/Middle Synagogue:

These two synagogues because too small and another was added. The Eliahu Ha'navi Sunagogue was then added:

Finally, an additional synagogue was added to the complex - the Istanbuli

Following the synagogues, we visited the Burnt House Museum (Katros House). The remains of this house were located six meters beneath today's Jewish Quarter. It is believed that this house was burned by the Zealots (who had extreme beliefs in the Jewish values) in a revolt against the Romans and the Jews faithful to the empire

Our next stop was the most amazing so far - the Western Wall or Ha Kotel. Because Western Wall Plaza is a secured area we had to go through security before being allowed to enter. Men to one side and women to another side. Both sides are separated by a fence. It wasn't too crowded but lots of young people there praying. I worked my way (respectfully) through the front and was able to reach out and touch the wall.

It was originally built as the retaining wall for the southwest side of the Temple Mount's Second Temple.

Last stop of the morning was the Davidson Center who is still excavating ancient ruins

The afternoon optional included the Israeli Museum and Yad Veshem (Holocaust Museum). Both were very moving. The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by the Beduin tribe in the area of Qumrun and are on display today in the Shrine of the Book at the Israeli Museum. We also saw a replica of old Jerusalem. We were supposed to take photos in the Shrine of the Book but I was a law breaker and snuck one in without using my camera flash.

Yad Veshem was emotionally draining - just like when I visited Auschwitz. There was a memorial to the 1.5 million children who died during the Holocaust. It was very dark inside - sort of like the night sky with stars shining. The would read off the name of a child and the country they were from. A tree was planted on the property for each person who aided Jews during this terrible time. Oscar Schindler and his wife both have a tree.