Contrary to popular misconception, it's not a remaining wall of the Holy Temple, sic, there were two plus, nor is it "the holiest spot in the world for Jews.
The Kotel is the remains of a very sturdy retaining wall of the Temple Mount, which is where the Holy Temples had stood before destroyed by anti-Jewish invaders.
I think of the Kotel as an old outdoor synagogue, which conveniently has an Ezrat Nashim, women's section. The holiness is derived more from the fact that it has been a place of Jewish Prayer for so long. One doesn't need to ritually purify oneself before going to pray there, which is the preferred requirement for entering Har Habayit, the Temple Mount.
What do you think about it?
2 comments:
> What do you think about it.
I think you are right.
Have you ever been to the Kotel HaKatan? The little area to the left of the Green Door. This site gives a good view: kotel hakatan
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