Thousands of Prayer Notes Removed from Western Wall Ahead of Jewish New Year
Tens of thousands of prayer notes, collected over the past six months, were removed from the Western Wall in Jerusalem in preparation for the upcoming Jewish High Holy Days. The annual ritual, conducted by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, ensures the sacred texts are respectfully handled and then transferred for burial.
Among the notes were prayers for peace sent from individuals in countries hostile to Israel, including Iran, Yemen, Iraq, Qatar, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sudan, Jordan, Egypt, and Kazakhstan. These messages, often submitted via the foundation's website, expressed hopes for reconciliation and improved relations between nations.
The removal process adhered to Jewish law, utilizing gloves and disposable wooden tools to maintain the sanctity of the site and the privacy of the messages. The notes were collected in special bags for permanent burial alongside worn-out religious texts.
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation reported that hundreds of notes are submitted daily through its website, in addition to those placed by visitors throughout the year. Over the past year, notes were received from more than 140 countries and territories worldwide, highlighting a global connection to the holy site.
Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, oversaw the removal and offered a prayer for the unity of the Jewish people and the acceptance of prayers.
