The Kotel

I have visited the Kotel twice before. Each visit has been it’s own unique experience. As a fifteen year old, I remember the awe of seeing it for the first time after having studied and heard about it my whole life. Here I was now finally able to put my own little paper of wishes into the wall.

The second time I was in my 30’s. It was no less awe inspiring, although what I prayed and hoped for was different.

Today was the first time I visited as a mom and my approach was not only about my hopes for myself, but my hope for my daughters and for us as a family.

Visiting the Kotel is an emotional experience under any circumstance. It’s a place where it is impossible not to feel the spirit of our ancestors.

Now imagine listening to an inspirational talk all about Emet and Emuna; about how prayer gives us the ability to clarify our inner yearnings. That having emuna, or faith, is being able to leap even when you don’t know where you will land. That in itself is such a powerful concept.

Then walk straight from hearing that to the Kotel and pray, really pray. Pray for your family and loved ones, but most importantly pray for yourself so that you can gain clarity as to what you really want out of life. What is of value to you? What are you missing? What are the things you would leap for without knowing where and how you’ll land?

Pray for all of this while being in the holiest place touching the walls that have been touched by centuries of people surrounded by hundreds praying for their own clarity and emuna. Nothing can beat that experience.