Is it true that many non-Jews come to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, say a prayer and write a wish on a note?

Question

I heard that Obama did it, that many Christians did it , and even some foreign Muslim tourists too...

So, does that mean that the Western Wall is not banned to non-Jews ?

But what's the point of saying a jewish prayer and write a wish on a note, if we are not Jewish ?

God is the same for all the religions from Abraham, of course...But is the prayer valid ? Is the wish GRANTED ?

So should I also come and visit Israel, Jerusalem Western Wall, say a prayer in hebrew and write a wish in a note and put this note stuck between the stones of the wall ?

Jewish people, what do you think ? And non-Jewish people who read my question, did you also say a prayer and write a wish on a note too ?

Thanks in advance.

PS : I am Christian, by the way.

Answer 1

It is true that people from all religions & walks of life visit the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall. Israel does not turn anyone away, despite their ethnicity or religious preference.

There is no magic in the Wall. It is simply a place of deep faith. It is faith that moves the hand of God to answer our prayers.

Yes, by all means, come! Israel is a wonderful experience. The Scriptures will come alive after a visit to the Holy Land. I've visited numerous times, & spent a year there in the past. I'm Jewish.

Answer 2

The Western wall is a wall that was left standing after the destruction of the Temple.

Non Jews were allowed in the temple as well, they were also allowed to bring offerings.

The Temple is not only for Jews, it's for everyone since we are all Gods children.

You can come and pray at the western wall and you can put a note.

Weather it will be granted or not depends on weather you deserve it or not.

Answer 3

I went there and did that.

Answer 4

Today, people put notes into the Western Wall every single day. The idea is not that we are praying to the Wall (that would be like talking to a wall!), but rather it is known that the Divine Presence rests on the Western Wall more than other places. (see Midrash Rabba - Exodus 2:2 and Song of Songs 2:4)

Furthermore, the Talmud teaches that all prayers ascend to heaven through Jerusalem. So writing a prayer on a piece of paper and sticking it in the Wall is like having a continual prayer linked to the prime source.

Today, with millions of people visiting the Western Wall each year (plus all the people using the internet service), the cracks can sometimes get pretty packed with notes! You can sometimes see one person standing on another's shoulders to get their note into an available crack. Because of the great volume, every so often, all the notes are removed from the Wall and buried, along with other holy objects that are not being used anymore.

http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askra...

Answer 5

Many Christians vist the holy land and do a wish at the wall I did it and I am a christian

God hears all our prayers no matter where we are.

Answer 6

If I were able to go I would go to the wall for the history.  I would pray to the Christian God and give thanks for His heritage through the Hebrew line.

I would write on paper God's will be done.

Maybe someone will get a wish, that's all I want.

Answer 7

Surely there is nothing wrong with honouring a tradition. It shouldn't matter what religion (if any) it serves.

Answer 8

The Western Wall is not banned to anyone who comes to see it respectfully. Israel does not discrimiate-esp not among tourists.

I am Jewish and I dont think wishing for somethign to happen makes it occur. For me, the Western wall is a place to get closer to god/universe and to put my hopes for my friends/family/the world. I'm not asking or begging. whatever will be will be. i dont think anyone can tell you whether or not a prayer has validity. a prayer is between a person and a higher power and no one can tell you its not valid or not right.

you can say a prayer in hebrew and write a note its not a wishing well. you will get the same end result if you pray from your house of worship or wherever, i personally believe you dont have to travel halfway around the world to say a prayer. jerusalem and the western wall (speaking as a jewish person) has many other meanings for me as opposed to coming there to wish for something.

Answer 9

a lot of non Jews are forbidden to go there (hint: the Apartheid wall)

but i guess important people are allowed, just look at Obama!

Answer 10

Yes, Jerusalem is considered a sacred city to Jews, Muslims, and Christians.

I don't think it works quite how you're thinking of it.

It's not like asking a fairy to grant your wish.

I think it's more like putting a prayer request out in your church...if people see that you need prayer, perhaps they will pray for you as well.

Answer 11

yes... allmost the people who come to visit israel do it...

im jewish and i think it is great... we all believe in the same god.

Answer 12

Its true

The western wall is avaliable to all faiths as long as they follow rules that women are seperate and men have to wear a kippah and married women have to cover hair because even though its a well know attraction. Its also a active Synagoge and many activities as well as Bar mitazvahs are there. You dont have to say a Jewish prayer. You can pray a personal prayer and a wish that is put in the slots can be anything. The prayer is valid by any person in any language because hashem knows all languages. I am not sure about the wish part. I thinks its true that when Moshiach(Messiah) comes all the wishes in the wall are granted.

If you want to come to the land of Yisroel and go to the Kotel you can. But i advise if you dont know Hebrew then dont pray in hebrew.

Answer 13

Haven't you realized that the God of Jesus, Mohemmed and David is the same God.

Answer 14

yeah..

and no about the note thing

Answer 15

Obama, Bush, Clinton...etc....photo op. Cheers!

Bush praying at the wall

http://www.fossilizedcustoms.com/Yarmulk...