A Crowded Morning at the Wall

This past Sunday/Monday was a Jewish holiday here in Israel.  Because of that, J & I enjoyed a 4-day long weekend relaxing at home.  The holiday started on sunset the day before, as is the Jewish custom for every Sabbath day and all holidays. 

Shavuot marks the remembrance of the giving of the Torah (i.e. the Law).  On this holiday, it  is common practice among religious Jews to stay awake all night reading the Torah and then say their morning prayers at sunrise.  For Jews who reside in Jerusalem, saying morning prayers at the Western Wall is a special way to worship on this holiday.  J & I braved the early hour to observe the event.  We arrived at Jaffa Gate of the Old City at 5:15 AM and joined the throngs of orthodox Jews walking rapidly down the streets to the Western Wall Plaza.  After going through security, we blended as best we could into the crowd and found ourselves a corner where we could be unobtrusive observers.  Jewish prayers are quite celebratory and filled with lots of singing and chanting.  It was interesting to observe the different groups of men clustered together, each group around the Torah and a Rabbi.  Men, according to Jewish Law, can only say formal prayers when a group of at least 10 men has formed.  Women worship separately from men and unlike men, prayers are not a group experience and do not have to strictly follow the customs. We later went up to get a view from above and were able to take a few photos of the event.