Jewish Pligrimage

Questions on Jewish Pilgrimage

Task 4, pg 28

a) A Jewish pilgrim, when on a visit to the Western Wall, is likely to:
· Cover their heads, if a male Jew
· Pray a great deal
· Wash their hands before going to the wall
· Pray separately from the opposite sex
· Push pieces of paper, on which are written prayers, into cracks in the wall

b) Such an experience is a pilgrimage rather than a tourist visit, because when you visit the Western Wall, you show a great deal of respect, and are more serious about the event compared to how you would be if it were a tourist visit. Also during the time at the Western Wall, one spends a lot of time praying and abide by the same rules that they would when in a religious place such as the synagogue (where, for example the male congregation would be separate from the female congregation). Also a Jew must feel that he is going there to fulfil a religious commitment and not to spend th...