Life is made up of many little moments, all equally important, and all strung together to create one tremendous and extravagant portrait. I like to think that this trip is just a small portion of the picture, however, it does not for a moment lack the vibrant colors, important sketches, and vivid imagery which are vital for the lasting impression which the beholder ensures. Every moment in the days that I have been here so far have undoubtably challenged and impacted not only my intellectual growth but my emotional, physical, and spiritual being as well. One moment that has influenced all of these aspects was when we had the opportunity to visit the Kotel, or rather, The Western Wall. From the moment I stepped off of the bus in Jerusalem, I was embedded by a feeling that I had not experienced yet on this trip, a direct connection to all four of the facets mentioned above, overwhelming me at the same time. The air I breathed in suddenly seemed lighter, and although there was an unfamiliarity to my surroundings, I was still comforted because there was a sense of unity and wholeness that I had not felt before between the people, the smells, the buildings and the views. As we approached the wall, I was engulfed by emotions. The view itself is breathtaking, without even having to be inside of the area, I could already feel a power greater than myself, something that I no longer had control over, guide]ing me. Unfortunately, it was inevitable to not be drawn to the separation barrier, disconnecting the women from the men. No matter if it is the first time seeing the wall or if you pray there everyday, this familiar or unfamiliar sight is disheartening, a reminder of the contrasting views and beliefs that make up the world.
Although the image of separation was evident, there was a remarkable beauty about being at the Wall, being surrounded by thousands of years of rich, devoted faith and history from people of all backgrounds and beliefs. That's the beauty of the Wall, it's been, and continues to be a physical feature of the power, resilience, and conviction of the Jewish people as a whole. As I walked to the front of the Wall, I noticed a group of women both young and old, grouped together standing next to the divider, raising their voices together as one in prayer. It was an incredible moment to experience, even from the outside. Not only were the women praying and chanting in song together, books raised high, but I noticed that they were actually praying simultaneously with a group of men only a few inches away from them behind the barrier. They were so close together that their prayerbooks seemed to be touching in the air. After finishing a prayer, booming laughter echoed from both sides of the divider as the men and women chuckled over a comment that a little boy made. These people, who did not see the faces of the opposite gender, were conjoined by their humanity, their faith and their worship. For a moment, watching them in awe, the divider seemed to disappear, and it became irrelevant to the significance of the situation. After being a witness to the holiness and complilation of the site, my thoughts regarding the importance and magnitude of the Kotel were validated. That moment, short and simple, filled with the foundations of religion such as faith, unity, and harmony and the simplicity of the capacities of human beings as in laughter, smiles, and song, were heightened. My thoughts regarding Judaism, my own identity, and the land on which I was standing were transcended by the coalition of an essence that reached beyond the minute element of a picture.
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