After the one day excursions to Tel Aviv and the Negev, the rest of my trip to Israel was devoted to Jerusalem. Which was the real reason for my trip.
Jerusalem has always been my city. Even before I visited it the first time right after the 1967 War. The love and desire to be in Jerusalem was inculcated at an early age. This is the song that encompasses that feeling.
From atop Mount Scopus,
I will prostrate myself to you,
From atop Mount Scopus,
Welcome to you, Jerusalem.
For a hundred generations I have dreamt of you,
To merit/to cry
And behold the light of your countenance.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Shine your light upon your son,
Jerusalem, Jerusalem
From your ruins I will rebuild.
Which brings up how the view of what was called the Wailing Wall (and now is called the Western Wall) has changed since the time of the 1967 war.
When I first approached the wall- at my very first trip to Israel some 55 years ago, one had to navigate through narrow paths (the red line denotes the path I took), with garbage and hovels on both sides. And, then one made the turn- and saw the wall. The view left me breathless.
Now, the plaza is grandiose, but I feel it’s lost some of the aura, since we see it long before we are by it. The anticipation and immediacy have been removed.
The day we visited the wall on this trip, we managed to see Ethiopian Jews celebrating their prayers. A totally different tradition than the ones with which I have grown up.
But, those moments by the wall allowed my mental attitude to be restored. Despite the three years of illness and setbacks.
Wow, it must have been an amazing trip..
It was great to be there. It helped adjust my mental attitude, BrendaMarie.
I loved reading about your first visit. Impactful. I haven’t been to Jerusalem yet but I am eager to go.
Thanks so much for your comment- and your visit, Karen!
it sounds like your soul has a deep connection to Jerusalem. To be able to connect and rejuvenate is a beautiful thing.
Especially as I have recovered from my 3 y illness! Thanks for the visit and comment, Victoria.
Hey, you made it!
Back when we visited Jerusalem, the Wailing Wall was “closed to the public for safety reasons” 🙁
Here’s still a magical moment I’d like to share:
The Friday we visited Jerusalem was Good Friday for the Christians, Jumu’ah for the Muslim and Passover for the Jews. I am pretty sure the Russian Orthodix had something going on as well. Anyway, what I am saying is, that afternoon and early evening felt so peaceful! Everybody was going to their church, mosque, synagogue, you name it, and everybody was leaving the others alone.
Why can’t it be that way all year long?
I’m with you all the way, Tamara!
To see it both before and after. I would love to visit Jerusalem. So many memories you have shared.
Let me know when you want to go- I’ll go with you, Martha!