In Jerusalem: the Western Wall on Purim Day

According to Western Wall Heritage Foundation the Western Wall in Jerusalem has been the center of Jewish yearning and memory for more than 2000 years. The only fragment of the Great Temple to survive the Roman destruction, the Divine Presence has never departed from The Western Wall. Built to suport the western side of the Temple Mount, it is known as the Western Wall and it is the most sacred structure of the Jewish people. Its ancient stones stand testimony to a glorious Jewish past, a proud heritage and an extraordinary national rebith. It is a focus of Jewish longing and prayer for redemption and renewal. The prophet Isaiah called the Temple a”house for all nations”. A universal center of spirituality, it stirs the thoughts and emotions of Jew and non-Jew and energizes the inner connection between the individual and God. These photos weren taken on Purim day 2016 (24th March 2016). The jolly festival of Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar (late winter/early spring). It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day,” as recorded in the Megillah (Book of Esther). These are Purim observances: -Reading of the Megillah, which recounts the story of the Purim miracle. This is done once on the eve of Purim and then again on the following day. -Giving money gifts to at least two poor people. -Sending gifts of two kinds of food to at least one person. -A festive Purim feast, which often includes wine or other intoxicating beverages