For those religious Jews I have a question about praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem?

Question

I'm a Christian & going to Jerusalem in October & will visit "one of the holiest places in Israel" & while watching a Geographic show about Jerusalem, it showed people praying there. It said Christians can also pray there but their heads should be covered & we could leave our prayer notes there, as Jews do. I'm wondering why some Jews praying there, keep a rhythmic bowing action going while they pray? I'd like to know where the tradition comes from. Also, why do some Jews strap on a small, black strap on their foreheads with a 2 " cylinder-like projection on it? Since I will be there soon, I'd like to know why they do this & why others don't? I'd like to know where the tradition comes from. I thank everyone for their information. It is appreciated.

Answer 1

The head coverings are mainly for men, but women of the Orthodox movement normally cover their hair as well.  I don't know the exact word for it, but it's kind of like a scarf that you wrap your head in.

Expect to be separated from the men in your group (or your family), seeing as Orthodox pray separately.  Both sexes have access to the Western Wall, just separated by a small fence.

The bowing is what we do when praying.  It's simply because when Jews pray, we like to commit all of ourselves into the prayer.  It's a like a means of showing your full dedication, you will not be expected to do it (especially considering you probably wouldn't participate in a Jewish minyan).

The small black things are called "tefillin" (Teh fill in) and they are placed on the arm and on the head.  Both contain small scrolls that have prayers written on them.  It's a means of keeping prayers like the "shemah" close to our heads and to our hearts.  Again, as you are not Jewish, you will not be expected to wear these.  Also women do not wear tefillin in Orthodox Judaism.

In closing, enjoy your trip to Israel.  It's truly a once in a lifetime experience.  Other sites you might want to see (although I'm sure are already on your list):

Eilat (Southern Israel)

Tel Aviv (North Western Israel)

Haifa (North Western Israel)

A Kibbutz (located all over)

A Bedouin Tent

An archeological dig site (I once found a clay pot dated from the time of the Macabees... VERY COOL)

Yad Vashem (Israeli Holocaust museum, very moving)

One more thing:

I know it may seem like Israel is a dangerous place, but the media blows a lot of it out of proportion... it's very safe and you will have a GREAT time!

Answer 2

They rock (rhythmetic bowing) when they pray and when they study the Torah.  I have never seen anything on the orgin of this, but I know we are finding that those kind of movements can enhance memory.

Answer 3

It's a cadence to how we pray. Praying is very rhythmic in Judaism.

Those small black straps with boxes are Tefillin. To know more about them, see my source.

Answer 4

Sorry I do not know much about this.  But the rythmic bowing, is a ritual that helps them remember scripture I think.

God Bless your trip!! I wish I was going as well.  Please come back and tell us about it.

Answer 5

Enjoy your trip!  

The rhythm that you notice is called "shuckling" and it's a way to keep a focus in prayer (as another poster mentioned - in cadence).

The straps are known as phylacteries or tefillin and are a part of men's ritual of prayer.  

Answer 6

WOW- I'm jealous! That is a trip of a lifetime.

Answer 7

I hope you enjoy your trip. Since it is a holy site, women try to dress modestly while there. That means covered hair (for married women), high necklines, long sleeves, and long skirts. It's not mandatory, though if you do come dressed immodestly, the women there will usually ask you to put on a shawl or something to cover up.

The rhythmic motion is usually done to improve concentration. Some say it symbolizes the trembling that we should feel standing in awe in God's presence. Most people do it because it makes prayer a full-body experience - not just saying words, but really feeling them and putting your whole self into the prayer. Many people don't do that, though! My husband does, but my father does not. It's a matter of personal preference, and most people find it easier to do it.

The black strap on the foreheads is called tefillin (literally: "prayers"). In English I believe they are referred to as "phylacteries." They are a set of two. One is strapped on the forehead, knotted at the back of the neck, and the other is strapped high on the left forearm, knotted around the wrist and middle finger. The boxes contain parchments with passages from the Torah. Men are commanded to wear these tefillin during their morning prayers, if that is not possible, to at least don them once a day and recite the Shema, the prayer that expresses the main belief of Jews - that God is one. (The Shema - pronounced s**+-MAH - is also written on the parchment inside the tefillin.) This is a commandment in the Torah.

I hope I helped! Enjoy!