Yom Yerushalayim, Shavuos and the Kotel

On Thursday, May 24^th, our girls will journey to the Western Wall in Jerusalem to pour out their hearts in prayer for themselves and others (Join our friends who are taking advantage of this opportunity, at no cost - www.levlalev.com/kotelprayers). Upon reaching the most significant Jewish site in the world, they will meet hundreds representing various nationalities and religions who are bound to it as well. 

It is awesome to consider how many thousands have prayed there throughout the centuries; the numerous hearts rejoicing in the splendor of the service at the Holy Temples and later grieving at their destruction; the myriads who still grieve, pouring out their emotions in tears while yearning for G-d to answer their most personal requests.

This weekend, hundreds of worshippers will make the trek on foot to the Western Wall (Kotel) to reach it by the early morning hours of the holiday of Shavuos. I remember making the same journey with my seminary friends in June of 1986. As we walked, our small group from the neighborhood of Bayit Vegan swelled into a larger band of trekkers headed for the holiest place on earth.

That night is as clear to me as ever: velvety black sky and brilliant jeweled stars just above, cobblestone under our feet; the sultry Jerusalem night and our friendship enveloping us more with each step. Few things compare with walking those ancients streets, especially on such a mission.

We reached the Kotel around 5am, hundreds of worshippers arriving with us. The heightened emotion was tangible. We prayed then headed to our pre-arranged accommodations in the Old City.

Shavuos was over the next night. My emotions were mixed, since I would be returning home in just a few days. How desperately I would miss my cherished visits to the Kotel! At those times, I had prayed for so much. My friends and I decided to stay overnight in the Old City to have more time there.

Late at night, we went to say our ‘goodbyes’ to the hallowed spot. The Old City was quiet as I walked ahead of my small group, alone in my thoughts. I led the way as we descended through the Arab shuk, something unheard of today, but considered the best way to go back then.

The Kotel plaza opened up before me and revealed only three people standing at the Wall: A soldier, clutching it with his head bent; a Sephardi man, lost in prayer; an old woman softly speaking, hands thrown upward, kissing it at various intervals.

Soon the woman left. Then the soldier. The Sephardi man was the last to leave. With my friends behind me, I had time to slow my pace. In moments, and for almost as long, I would be the only person standing at the Wall. I imagined the thousands of people around the world, facing Jerusalem no matter where they were, directing their prayers to this holiest of places, right at that moment.

I said Psalms and all the prayer requests you can imagine: heavenly assistance, guidance in life, a husband, children, a good life, prayers for my family and friends.

I didn’t return until 2009, when my oldest child attended seminary in Jerusalem. When we decided to visit the Wall, she asked if I would mind going alone and she would meet me there later.

I told her the last time I visited in 1986, I prayed for all I have now.

I told her, “I prayed for children and the answer was: YOU! It would mean so much to have you next to me when I say ‘Thank You.’ ”

Countless miracles have occurred as a result of praying at this sacred location:

• The woman who finally had a child after four years of trying
• The girl who had been seeking her soul mate for five years and finally got married
• The woman diagnosed with an illness which the doctors later could not detect
• The father and son, reunited after many years when a tiny note fell out of a crack and landed on the father’s lap.

When our girls include your prayer requests with theirs, you’re setting the wheels in motion for your own miracles to occur. Please let us know when they happen!

I’m sure you won’t want to miss this FREE opportunity for the girls to pray on your behalf www.levlalev.com/kotelprayers

May all of your prayers ascend to the highest places in heaven and be answered in wondrous ways you never thought possible.

Sincerely,

Rachel Weinstein
Director of Development