Mysterious Dove in the Doorway

Almost everyone who visits Jerusalem, spends some time exploring the Old City as part of their visit to the Kotel (Western Wall).

Many people don’t realize that it was actually the “Southern Wall” that was the main entryway to the Temple Mount for Jewish pilgrims who came to bring their offerings to the Temple.

Today the Southern Wall Archeological Park is an incredible opportunity to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors who walked on these same stones and immersed themselves in these same Mikvah’s (Ritual Baths) before they ascended to the courtyard of the Temple.

During the Muslim Ottoman period, the biblical gates to the Temple mount were sealed. The Turks allowed Muslims onto the Temple mount to pray, but the Jews were forbidden.

However, permission was given to the Jews to pray at the “Western Wall,” which is how it became the main place of prayer for the Jewish people for the last 600 years.

When I saw this picture that a friend took while looking up from the Western Wall courtyard, it immediately struck me that it encapsulated the entire history of the Jewish people.

You can see the ancient stones in the arch and the more recent stones which sealed  the archway. The small doorway seems to be leading to a dark and ominous future.

But the white dove of peace seems to be beckoning us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and be confident that the Almighty will lead us to our glorious future when the Temple will be rebuilt and not only the Jews, but all the nations will once again come and pay tribute to the God of Israel.

Shabbat Shalom with Prayers for the Peace of Jerusalem and blessings from the Galilee!

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