Wow! Yael and I have visited the Western Wall four times in just two days. On one occasion I watched an orthodox person fervently pray and cry and pound the wall. Then, his cell phone went off and he stopped. Another time, we were there to celebrate Rosh Hodesh (the celebration of the new moon). We had learned that it was Rosh Hodesh when the restaurant (Rimon Cafe on Ben Yehuda Street) presented Yael and Ina with a rose. The Kotel was packed with women, five or six deep). Rob and I walked into the Western Wall library, a place where only men can enter. All of sudden a group of men began chanting prayers that Rob and I were able to join in. It was a very moving experience. So far the highlight was a tour under the Western Wall where we got to touch the bedrock of Mt. Moriah where Abraham brought his son Isaac to be sacrificed. Yael and I are planning to celebrate Shabbat this Friday night and Saturday by visiting the Kotel instead of attending a synagogue service. After all, who needs a formal service when you're in the shadow the Western Wall.
Note: I've been thinking about how to bring Israel back to the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community. Elaine has graciously offered to give BAJC a replica of the Western Wall that she had made up for the Bar Mitzvah of her grandson. What a blessing.
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