Why Do Jews Pray At The Wailing Wall. Jews pray there not because god is closer to them there, but the term 'wailing wall' was used by british soldiers in reference to the western wall of the second temple in jerusalem. Jewish law instructs jews to pray toward jerusalem, and when in jerusalem, to pray toward the temple the tears, yearnings, and prayers offered at the western wall bring them no closer to his presence.
For thousands of years, jews have gathered at the wall to pray and connect to the holiness at the site.
Jews were prohibited from praying at the top of the temple mount and started praying around the retaining walls. This name was then translated to some european languages. .western (wailing) wall yesterday and placing a note asking forgiveness for persecution of the jews.it came on the final day of his holy land mission yad vashem, the pope did not categorically apologise at the western wall for his church's conduct, or the silence of pope pius xii during the. Jewish law dictates that when jews pray the silent prayer, they should face mizrach, towards jerusalem, the temple and ultimately the holy of holies, as all of god's bounty and blessing emanates from that spot.