Jerusalem, the holy city. I was blessed to be able to spend 2½ days in this wonderful place, one of them Shabbat. I davened at the Western Wall more than once and took in the sights around the Old City. I cannot describe the awe I felt at being able to touch a part of the Beit Hamikdash. That experience will stay with me forever. There were many things that I missed while I was there, notably the Israel Museum (which was open on Saturday but not on Sunday) and Hezekiah's tunnel. When I go back to Israel I would like to spend more time looking at places like those and be able to experience the city even more. What is really neat now is that when someone talks about a specific place in the Old City I am able in many cases to put an image to the name. Those images in my head, just like the other images from my trip, are a great help in feeling connected to the Land.
Here, straight from the Amidah, is my heart's cry for this amazing city:
And to Jerusalem, Your city, my You return in compassion, and may You rest within it, as You have spoken. May You rebuild it soon in our days as an eternal structure, and may You speedily establish the throne of David within it. Blessed are you, Hashem, the Builder of Jerusalem.
Link: Jewish Virtual Library.
