2
The Western Wall
Aim
To be aware of the significance of the Western Wall for Jewish
people.
To be aware of the sensitivities surrounding the Temple site.
Lesson
Begin by reviewing the history of the Temple. Solomon built it. It was destroyed by the Babylonians. Zerubbabel and others helped to rebuild it. Herod then completely redesigned it.
Despite its enormous dimensions, Herod's Temple did not survive long. In AD 70, the people of Jerusalem rebelled against Roman rule. The Romans avenged this rebellion in a very destructive and cruel manner. They killed thousands of people and reduced the Temple to rubble. Today, all that is left of Herod's Temple is one wall.
Show images if available.
People from all over the world come to visit the Temple wall and to say prayers in front of it. Some people write their prayers on pieces of paper and put them into the gaps between the stones in the wall.
Many people pray that the Temple will be rebuilt again. Many other people strongly oppose any prayers or plans to rebuild the Temple, as where it used to stand is now the site for one of the world's most important mosques. (If possible, show image of the Dome of the Rock). For hundreds of years, the presence of this mosque has been the cause of much argument and violence between Jewish and Muslim people.
Activity
Following discussion, children could:
- write a prayer that might be placed in the wall by a Jewish person.
- interview a Jewish visitor about the Western Wall.
- complete their Temple timeline.
- talk / write about a historical site that has special significance for them.
