MAY 19 : JERUSALEM / GOLGOTHA / WAILING WALL
After early breakfast, we went to Calvary, to begin the Via Dolorosa (Way of Grief) traditionally accepted as the last route trodden by Jesus. We were climbing and walking the cobbled stone all the way. The pathway was narrow, with old walls and had shops on both sides tempting us. We started directly from 2nd station where the Roman soldiers scourged, stripped of his garment and a crown of thorns placed on his Jesus head. Here in the chapel, of Flagellation, we had our mass. Just above was Pilate’s Judgement Hall where he was condemned to death (1st station) which we did not visit.
From here we went back down to visit the pools of Beit Hasda where Jesus healed the cripple man and also here the Church of St. Anne (house of Mary). From here we went back to our way from second station onwards and stopping at each station, we were praying for all our family friends n relatives. We had 2 priests of ours, who leading & conducting the station of the cross with prayers and hymns. We followed the torturous way in the deep heat but luckily we were walking in the shades of the shops.
From here we went back down to visit the pools of Beit Hasda where Jesus healed the cripple man and also here the Church of St. Anne (house of Mary). From here we went back to our way from second station onwards and stopping at each station, we were praying for all our family friends n relatives. We had 2 priests of ours, who leading & conducting the station of the cross with prayers and hymns. We followed the torturous way in the deep heat but luckily we were walking in the shades of the shops.
The last 5 station of the cross was inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visible from the distance with two Silver cross domes. We got to visit first the flat rock slab deemed to be the place where Jesus was taken down from the cross and laid, where all devotees were kissing and placing their hanky and veils and all holy products purchased for blessing.
After lunch we visited the Church in honour of the Shepherds who visited the holy family in the stable in Bethlehem.
Then we moved inside, stood in line, to visit the main sanctorum, where Jesus was laid in the Tomb. Then we climbed up again in line to visit the Golgotha hill, now enshrined and only symbolic Cross with Jesus crucified, which is venerated here. There was a small crypt with relic below the cross, which we bent and paid our respect by kneeling.
We came out and was resting on the steps outside, refreshing with water and snacks.
From here we walked to the Wailing Wall, most sacred to the Jews, who pray and cry before it, the Christians and also Muslims come and pay respect. This wall was built by King David, but the Temple was built by King Solomon. This was destroyed by the Romans and then the Crusaders took over, but they did not build anything, since they felt it was lamented by Jesus. Then the Turks and Arab took over and built their Golden Mosque behind this Wall.
The Western Wall is at the root of the Jewish nation.
1) Site of the Holy Temple
The Western Wall is a surviving remnant of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The Temple was the center of the spiritual world, the main conduit for the flow of Godliness. When the Temple stood, the world was filled with awe of God and appreciation for the genius of the Torah.
It is here, on Mount Moriah, that Isaac was bound for sacrifice. And it is here that his son Jacob dreamed of the ladder ascending to heaven.
Although other parts of the Temple Mount retaining wall remain standing, the Western Wall is especially dear, as it is the spot closest to the Holy of Holies, the central focus of the Temple.
Jerusalem was destroyed and rebuilt nine times. And through it all, one symbol remained intact: The Western Wall.
In establishing the eternal covenant with Abraham, God promised that the Jewish people will never be destroyed (Genesis 17:7). In this way, the Wall is a symbol of the Jewish people: Just as there have been many efforts to destroy the Wall and yet it remains eternal, so too the Jewish people have outlived its enemies and remain eternal. The Wall thus became the symbol of both devastation and of hope.
2) Place of Pilgrimage and Tears
Three thousand years ago, King David purchased Mount Moriah and made Jerusalem his capital. His son Solomon built the Holy Temple, and the entire Jewish nation gathered together three times each year on the pilgrimage festivals.
The service in the Holy Temple during the week of Sukkot featured a total of 70 bull offerings, corresponding to each of the 70 nations of the world. In fact, the Talmud says that if the Romans (who destroyed the Temple) would have realized how much benefit they received from the Temple, they never would have destroyed it.
During the 1,900-year exile, Jews would travel to Jerusalem at great expense and danger, just to have the chance to pray at the Wall. In the face of disease, lack of water, and marauding bandits, the Jews refused to abandon Jerusalem. Barred by law or wiped out by Crusaders, the Jews always returned.
3) Focus of Prayers
Three times a day, for thousands of years, Jewish prayers from around the world have been directed toward the Temple Mount.
Kabbalistic tradition says that all prayers from around the world ascend to this spot, from where they then ascend to heaven. The Talmud says: "If someone is praying outside the Land of Israel, he should direct his heart in the direction of Israel. When praying within Israel, direct the heart toward Jerusalem. Those in Jerusalem should direct their hearts to the Temple.
Throughout the millennia, Jews from far reaches of the globe have turned in prayer toward Jerusalem. At each Jewish wedding, the groom breaks a glass to commemorate the destruction of the Holy Temple.
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