The Western (Wailing) Wall, an ancient limestone wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, the wall was originally erected as part of the expansion of the Second Jewish Temple begun by Herod the Great, which resulted in the encasement of the natural, steep hill known to Jews and Christians as the Temple Mount. The Western Wall’s holiness in Judaism is a result of its proximity to the Temple Mount. Because of the Temple Mount entry restrictions, the Wall is the holiest place where Jews are permitted to pray, though the site of the Holy of Holies, the most sacred site in the Jewish faith, lies behind it. Arguably the world’s holiest site, the pinnacle of the trip for me.

With many emotional prayers, a donation of “Not a Real Enemy” to the site, among many paper prayers and wishes, a longstanding tradition!

Nearby King David symbol in his Jerusalem palace, within a huge excavation!