Showing posts with label Kotel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kotel. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

US Official: Western Wall Not Part of Israel 05-16-2017 - CBN News Julie Stahl


Western Wall Plaza, Photo, CBN News Jonathan Goff
Western Wall Plaza, Photo, CBN News Jonathan Goff
US Official: Western Wall Not Part of Israel
05-16-2017
CBN News Julie Stahl
JERUSALEM, Israel – A diplomatic spat appeared to erupt between U.S. and Israeli officials over President Trump's visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City just days before he's due in the region.
Many were astonished to learn that a U.S. official said the Western Wall isn't part of Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to accompany President Trump to the Western Wall when he visits next week. But apparently the request was denied and according to Israeli television, a U.S. official said the Western Wall "is not your territory, but part of the West Bank."
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The controversy is over the Western Wall, or Kotel. For thousands of years, Jewish people from around the world have come to pray at the wall. It's the closest they have to praying at the Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism.
In December, the Obama administration failed to veto a U.N. resolution that said Israel had "no validity" in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) in the eastern sector of Jerusalem. But Trump's ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has stood firm against anti-Israel sentiments at the U.N.
To make matters more conflicted, the new U.S. ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, arrived on Monday to take up his post. Friedman headed straight to the Western Wall to pray from the airport, calling it "the holiest place in the entire Jewish world."
One focal point of President Trump's visit next week is bound to be Jerusalem.
He's arriving as Israel prepares to celebrate Israel's victory and a reunited Jerusalem following the Six-Day War.
Israelis hope that Trump will honor his campaign promise either to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's united capital or announce a move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.
On Monday, Fox News foreign correspondent Connor Powell threw more fuel on the fire when he tweeted, "Everyone I've spoken to in DC that has been briefed on the Jerusalem Embassy move says Netanyahu told Trump not to move the embassy at this time."
The prime minister's office responded sharply, saying the Fox News claims are false.
Many Israelis expected the Trump visit would bolster Israel's position on Jerusalem and the peace talks. Now, some are anxious about what may happen next week.   
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Thursday, May 4, 2017

Western Wall (Kotel) at night in Jerusalem, Israel


Western Wall (Kotel) at night in Jerusalem, Israel
May 3, 2017


Published on May 3, 2017
Western Wall (Kotel) at night in Jerusalem, Israel

May 3, 2017

Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin - to give appreciation to and love for those we support, through Love For His People, Inc.

Fervent Prayers at the Western Wall (Kotel) and Plaza activity at night in Jerusalem, Israel


Fervent Prayers at the Western Wall (Kotel) 
and Plaza activity at night in Jerusalem, Israel
May 3, 2017



Published on May 3, 2017
Western Wall (Kotel) and Plaza activity at night in Jerusalem, Israel

May 3, 2017

Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin - to give appreciation to and love for those we support, through Love For His People, Inc.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Western Wall (Kotel) and The Arks - Jerusalem, Israel


Western Wall and The Arks - Jerusalem, Israel

Published on May 2, 2017

Western Wall and The Arks - Jerusalem - May 1, 2017

The arks contain Torah scrolls used on special occasions at the Kotel.

Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin - to give appreciation to and love for those we support, through Love For His People, Inc.
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     Steve Martin at the Kotel (Western Wall)



    • Standard YouTube License




Monday, May 1, 2017

Jerusalem Log #2 - Monday 7 p.m. 05.01.17 - Steve Martin

Jerusalem Log Monday p.m. 05.01.17
Jerusalem, Israel
#2

Greetings once again from Jerusalem!

My first full day back in the Land. This Monday it was Memorial Day, with the sirens going off all over the country at 11 am, causing the Jewish people to stop everything (driving included) in honor of the memory of fallen soldiers. It was awesome being right in the heart of Jerusalem and seeing Jaffa Street totally shut down, with people, trains, buses and all stopped, remembering their friends and fallen. Everyone in Israel has lost a close one over these 69 years.

And tonight at sundown begins Independence Day, when the annual celebration begins!

Bus #74, before it got packed

I began the day getting on the city bus #74 on south Hebron Street, taking it to the Central Bus Station at the end of Jaffa Street, before catching the light train back down Jaffa to Ben Yehuda. (Just for the fun of it.) In between I stopped in at the Distribution Center of Christian Friends of Israel, which has for more than 25 years been helping Jews making Aliyah get settled in Israel. Other projects provide needed humanitarian supplies for IDF soldiers, Holocaust victims, wedding dresses for those lacking funds, and much more.

Visiting shop owner friends on Ben Yehuda is always a joy. David, Dahlia and the Saiden family, owners of two shops, always give me special deals at Golden Jerusalem and David and Dan. I met their father Avraham over 10 years ago when I first walked into his Judaica gift shop. We have been friends ever since.

Dahlia Saiden

My good friend at Shkalim Fashion blesses me as I bless him, filling my hoodie, fleece and t-shirt orders from family and friends.

               Hoodies and t-shirts at the Shkalim Fashion shop on Ben Yehuda

Leaving the shopping center, I made my way to the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, I first walked on the Ramparts, which I had never done. This is a walk on top of the outer wall, formerly used by Jordanian soldiers to fire their guns at Jews prior to the 1967 Six-Day War. This end of May marks the 50th anniversary of when the Jews took back control of their city for good, reclaiming what was theirs in the beginning, when King David made it the capital of Israel.

The Western Wall (Kotel in Hebrew) has always been close to my heart. Last night a Memorial Service was held in its plaza, remembering the fallen soldiers who fought the many wars of defense during these 69 years of present day Israel’s existence.

Memorial Day at the Kotel (Western Wall)

It was good spending the afternoon at the Liberty Bell Park with a family of seven whom our ministry Love For His People has supporting going on seven years now. We are grateful for these relationships, giving us the opportunity to bless Israel and the people.

Until tomorrow…

Ahava (love) and Shalom (peace) from Jerusalem!

Steve Martin
Founder/President

Love For His People

Thursday, October 20, 2016

PHOTOS: 50,000 Receive Priestly Blessing at Kotel, Reaffirm Jewish Dedication to Jerusalem - Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

PHOTOS: 50,000 Receive Priestly Blessing at Kotel, Reaffirm Jewish Dedication to Jerusalem

“Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before Hashem thy God in the place which He shall choose; on the feast of unleavened bread, and on the Shavuot, and on the Sukkot.” Deuteronomy 16:16 (The Israel Bible™)
In a powerful display of the glory that once was the Jewish Temple, tens of thousands of Jews gathered at the Western Wall, also known as the Kotel, in Jerusalem on Wednesday to be blessed by hundreds of Kohanim (Jewish men from the priestly caste). This biannual event recreates a mitzvah (Torah commandment) as it was once performed in the Temple.
About 50,000 people gathered at the Kotel for the priestly blessing.  during the Cohen Benediction priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016.  (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
About 50,000 people gathered at the Kotel for the priestly blessing. during the Cohen Benediction priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
This year, the event took on special significance as it graphically reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between the Jews and the Temple Mount, a connection last week’s UNESCO vote sought to erase.
Jewish worshippers cover themselves with prayer shawls as they pray in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City, during the Cohen Benediction priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Sebi Berens/Flash90)
Jewish worshipers praying with great devotion during the holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Sebi Berens/Flash90)
Jews took the traditional four species – lulav, or palm frond; hadas, or myrtle; aravah, or willow; and the etrog, a citron – and performed the ritual shaking in six directions.
Jewish worshippers wave the Lulav and Etrog in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City, during the Cohen Benediction priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Jewish worshippers wave the Lulav and Etrog in front of the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem’s Old City, during the Cohen Benediction priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
The blessing of Israel, once an integral part of the Temple Service, is now performed on a regular basis in synagogues around the world. The Kohanim, Jews who have a family tradition of patrilineal descent from Aaron, the first High Priest, remove their shoes, have their hands washed by men who have a family tradition of being from the tribe of Levi, and stand in front of the congregation, completely covered in their prayer shawls.
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The words of blessing are recited with hands outstretched in a particular manner, with the first and second fingers joned, and the third and fourth fingers joined, while they recite the blessing.
Kohanim cover themselves with prayer shawls and raise their hands to bless Israel in front of the Western Wall, during priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Kohanim cover themselves with prayer shawls and raise their hands to bless Israel in front of the Western Wall, during priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Hashem bless thee, and keep thee; Hashem make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; Hashem lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24-26
This event comes less than one week after a UNESCO resolution passed which denied any religious or historical connection between Judaism and Jerusalem, renaming the Kotel as Al Buraq Plaza. Israel’s Minister of the Interior, Aryeh Deri (Shas), called for Israelis to protest this resolution by worshiping en masse at the site.
“This year, we’ll come, in our masses, to Jerusalem, to the Western Wall, to the Priestly Blessing. This Wednesday… we’ll all be there. We’ll send a clear message — nobody will separate us from our holy places,” wrote Deri in a Facebook post.
Jewish worshippers cover themselves with prayer shawls as they pray in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City, during the Cohen Benediction priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Kohanim cover themselves with prayer shawls as they pray in front of the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem’s Old City, during the Cohen Benediction priestly blessing at the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 19, 2016. (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
It was estimated that more than 50,000 were in attendance, and millions more viewed the event live via kotel cams.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Hundreds of African Kings, Many Claiming Jewish Ancestry, Will Gather to Praise God at Kotel - Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS

The Western Wall in Jerusalem during the Cohen Benediction priestly blessing during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Sunday, September 22, 2013. (Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Hundreds of African Kings, Many Claiming Jewish Ancestry, Will Gather to Praise God at Kotel


“Nobles shall come out of Mitzrayim; Ethiopia shall hasten to stretch out her hands unto God.” Psalms 68:32 (The Israel Bible™)
One of the more remarkable incarnations of the prophesied ingathering of the exiles is the discovery of Jewish roots in African tribes. The King of Togo, a country in West Africa, plans to strengthen that Messianic vision by bringing hundreds of African kings to the Western Wall in Jerusalem this Sukkot (Festival of Booths) to sing out their love of the God of Israel.
King Ayi was crowned in 1994 as King of the Ayigbe people of the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. The seat of this Kingdom was in Togo, although most historians confirm it started in Accra, Ghana. He presently lives in exile in the US. In 2002, at the second World Conference of the Counsel of Chiefs and Kings of Africa, King Ayi was crowned by his peers as head of the Organization of Kings and Queens of Africa, in the republic of Benin.
At the following conference in 2005, he announced his desire to bring all 350 African kings to Israel, to recite the ‘Shema’, the Jewish declaration of faith, at the Kotel (the Western Wall in Jerusalem). His announcement was received with overwhelming enthusiasm.
King Ayi explained this surprising reaction to Breaking Israel News.  

King Ayi of Togo. (Courtesy)
King Ayi of Togo. (Courtesy)

“At least half of the kings who are coming have a tradition that they are Jewish,” King Ayi said. “Some of the kings, though, are Muslim imams. Even they wanted to come. They are coming with the intention of recognizing that God created the entire world.”
It has taken 11 years and many trips back and forth, but King Ayi’s vision is finally coming to fruition. The ceremony will take place in Jerusalem during Sukkot in October and has been organized in conjunction with the Israeli Religious Affairs Ministry, headed by MK David Azulai.
In the past, King Ayi has met with Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky and Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach, two major figures in Orthodox Judaism. His efforts are also supported by the Beit Din (Rabbinic Court) of Bnei Brak as well as the nascent Sanhedrin.
The gathering is auspiciously timed, since the holiday of Sukkot has a strong multi-national element. The Talmud (Sukkah 55b) teaches, “Rabbi Eliezer said: “Why are 70 offerings brought on Sukkot? For the [merit of the] 70 nations of the world.” This is based on the prophecy in Zechariah.
And it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Yerushalayim shall go up from year to year to worship the King Hashem of hosts and to keep the SukkotZechariah 14:16
In addition to the religious mission, the visit will also be an opportunity to further the diplomatic connection between Israel and Africa. Educational seminars and tours will be interspersed with meetings with government officials.
For King Ayi, this is the culmination of a long personal journey. He told Breaking Israel News it was always known in his family that they were descended from Jews.
“We always refrained from foods deemed forbidden in the Torah,” the King explained. “Circumcisions are performed on the eighth day, and we keep the laws of niddah (family purity). We celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, and blow shofar (ram’s horn).”
Though this may seem surprising to many, recent research has revealed that many African tribes have roots in the Holy Land. The Lemba in Zimbabwe and South Africa and the Igbo in Nigeria are believed to have Jewish roots, though their status as Jews has not been recognized by rabbinic authorities.
The king has been criticized for his connection with Israel, but he stands strong in his conviction. “I am doing this for me, since I am Jewish, but I am also doing this for my nation. My people should stand for what is right. Standing with Israel is the right thing to do. It is written in the Prophets. Our hearts are completely with Israel, and on Sukkoth, we will show that to be true.”
King Ayi explained that according to his people’s oral tradition, their ancestors migrated to Africa via Egypt and Morocco. “The Jews and the blacks are almost the same. We are really one family,” he said.

An orthodox Jewish man at the Western Wall during Sukkot. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)
An orthodox Jewish man at the Kotel during Sukkot. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

Though Israel’s foreign policy is dominated by its relationships with Western super-powers, its spiritual ties to Africa are essential to Zionism. Theodore Herzl wrote in his book Altneuland, “Once I have witnessed the redemption of the Jews, my people, I wish also to assist in the redemption of the Africans.”
This sentiment was taken up by the early leaders of the State of Israel, most notably Golda Meir, who developed relations with African nations. This effort was revived by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently concluded a tour of Africa.
David Mark, founder of Israel Africa Hub and Israel Rising, is working towards developing a stronger bond between Israel and Africa, and believes that King Ayi should be supported in his mission.
“Only now we are awakening to the fact that many West African communities have authentic Jewish roots that were decimated by European colonists, missionaries, and Arab Islamists,” Mark told Breaking Israel News. “There is a lot a lot of work that still must be done to ensure that these communities get the education and recognition they need.”