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“Yuli Edelstein”

Yuli Edelstein, one of the most famous Russian Refuseniks and currently the Speaker of the Knesset told the following story at the annual International Tanach-bee event: “I was released from prison and granted permission to make Aliyah in 1987. I arrived in Israel shortly after. I was greeted on the runway by a respectable delegation from the Ministry of Absorption who provided me and my family with a large vehicle. We made our way directly from the tarmac to the Kotel. This, before officially registering as a citizen. The driver of the van was a recent Russian immigrant himself and we spoke Russian between ourselves – although he didn’t know the difference between “Kotel” and “Cottage”. As we approached Jerusalem, we could see the first lights of the Ramot neighborhood revealing themselves. With all of that history leading up to this moment, I started crying with my family. At the first traffic light in the city the driver stopped to ask the driver in the next lane how to get to the Kotel. He too was new in the country and he broke his teeth trying to understand the directions. The light turned green and the person helping us sped off. I took it upon myself to figure this out. I’m only in the country two hours and I’m already negotiation with passersby, trying to locate Agron Street. What’s an Agron? By the look of the flags and the ancient walls rising up above the city I understand that we’ve made it. Now, all we need to do is figure out which gate to go through. I had studied about the various entrances in my studies at home, but that was all theoretical. And as time passed my anxiety around the issue intensified, I new that a thousands of people were waiting at the Kotel for a reception ceremony, and here I am, getting later by the moment and lost without a map. I told the driver to stop, we’d walk the rest on foot. Before stopping he sees three teenagers walking past and he jumps out of the van to call out to them, “Kotel! Kotel! Kotel! Where’s the Kotel?” They reply, “We’ll show you, if we can hitchhike with you.” They get in the van and they’re so excited about how nice it is. One punches my shoulder and asks, “I heard Yuli Edelstein is coming to the Kotel, did he get there yet?” I laughed and said, “Don’t worry, he won’t get there before you!”

“Lionel Messi”

When Lionel Messi visited Israel and made his way to the Kotel with the rest of the Barcelona team, he was barely able to make it to the wall. He was totally overcome by the swarms of fans, suddenly faced by the footballing icon.

“Vladimir Putin”

For security reasons, Vladimir Putin visited the Western Wall at two in the morning. Even at that late hour, a entourage of rabbinical and security personnel accompanied him on his tour through the ancient tunnels. Before he left Putin said, “The walls, the stones here, they are screaming with holiness.”

“Prime Minister José María Aznar”

Upon his visit and an in-depth tour to the Kotel, then President José María Alfredo Aznar López opened a book of Psalms and read chapter 23, “The Lord is my shephard, I shall not lack.” He candidly revealed that he shares a moment with his family each day, reciting this particular passage in unison.

“Donald Trump”

In may of 2017, the ever newsmaking president Donald Trump landed in Israel and took a direct helicopter to the holy city, making the Kotel his very first stop. He was accompanied by top aides and representatives, as well as his daughter Ivanka. With a large Kippah proudly on his head, he approached the Kotel and recited two chapters of Psalms (Tehilim).

After the visit he revealed to the press that the visit was profoundly inspiring and it would leave a mark on his soul forever.

If you didn’t know, the President is hugely influential on Twitter, and his account is amongst the most followed in the world. Following his visit, the profile banner associated with his account featured the leader of the free world in a moment of meditative prayer at the Kotel. What a message!

“Barrak Obama”

Undoubtedly, the Kotel is focal point of all spirituality of the world, and dignitaries, politicians and celebrities all embark on pilgrimages to this historic sanctum. President Obama made a trip during his 2008 presidential run. He planned to visit at five in the morning, before the visit would disrupt the Jerusalem hustle bustle. However, this tactic avoided one traffic issue and created another logistical complication in its stead. Dozens of precious Jews – “Vatikin” – come and offer their morning prayers just as the sun pokes its first rays over the wall. This custom has been continued without interruption for generations. Technically speaking, the swath of personnel and these saintly petitioners wouldn’t be able to coexist.

The question was brought before the eminent Halachic decisor of the generation, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l. He ruled that the United states is a kingdom of grace and kindness and for a one-time exception, preference must be given to Obama.

He arrived at dawn and, as is customary, inserted a note of prayer between the ancient cracks. Hours later, a curious local dug deep and found the note. This is what it said, “Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will.”

“A place of joy”

One winter night, well after midnight, two friends walked into the Kotel plaza. One was a hospital administrator and a famous doctor, the other a well-known philanthropist. As they approached the wall the pair witnessed a man with cheeks stained by an eternity’s-worth of tears. The streams flowed into his wispy beard, making it glisten. The agreed between themselves to help this man in whatever way necessary. When the emotional waves persisted they approached and offered their help. The doctor said, “If you or a loved one is ailing, I can help.” The philanthropist mirrored the sentiment, “If you or a loved one is in financial distress, I can help.” He replied, “Thanks, but no thanks. I didn’t arrive at this enchanted place because of pain or strife. I’m actually coming from a wedding. Tonight I was lucky enough to marry off my youngest son. I’ve raised my family and I’m overburdened with endless gratitude. The tears you see are simply the appreciation and thanks flowing from my soul. I had to bring this moment, these feelings, these tears straight to the source”