Jerusalem – Israeli archaeologists are inspecting the Western Wall stone by stone in a new conservation effort at the Jewish holy site.
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The oldest stones were laid 2,000 years ago as part of the retaining wall of the Jewish Temple, and the newest by the Ottomans – who ruled the area until 1917.
Israeli Antiquities Authority archaeologist Jon Seligman says the work aims to make sure stones don’t collapse on those praying below.
On Sunday workers on a platform cleaned stones near the top of the 20-meter high wall, which is a religious flash point. The authority says work will likely continue for two months.
Jews sanctify the raised area above the wall as the Temple Mount, their holiest site.
Why don’t they just close the area below while they are working on the wall so there is no risk. It will make the work go faster and avoid risking those davening at the bottom of the kosel.
“Jews sanctify the raised area above the wall as the Temple Mount, their holiest site.” Does this sentence make any sense? I guess this is what is meant by Yirushalayim Shel l’maa’ala.
actually it is closed, not of the kotel of course, but the immediate area they are working on