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| Photo by Rimonah Traub |
When we come to the Kosel (Western Wall of the Second Temple) we may be so engrossed in our tefillos (prayers) that we do not notice the numerous birds flying close by and the plants growing out of the stones of the Wall. The Kosel—spiritual home to millions — is built of stones that serve as the physical home for various animals and plants.
The rows of stones that are on the level of the Kosel Plaza have what is called a “Herodian signature,” i.e., frames of delicate “margins” and smooth “bosses.” They were built by Herod, the Roman appointed king of Judea, circa (1st century B.C.E.), and extend down for about another 20 feet below the present ground level. The further up that the Wall goes, the smaller the stones become. This is because different layers were added throughout the centuries. Each row of stones is slightly set back from the row beneath it. This method achieves the illusion of a perfectly straight wall. Had the stones been exactly aligned, the Wall would have appeared to be leaning forward.
Different stones of the Wall (even in the same row and of the same time period) have fared the weather beatings of thousands of years. Along the Kosel walls there are many timeworn nooks and crannies, which seem as if they were especially carved out to receive the notes and letters of millions. These indentations are attributed to the fact that even though limestone was used, the builders used both mizzi meleke (the stone of kings) and mizzi hilu (sweet rock) when they set the wall. meleke is soft and easy to chisel, yet hardens when exposed to the atmosphere and becomes highly durable. The thin-layered mizze hilu is easily quarried and worked. The workers also did not set the stones in the same grain direction. When the wall was first built, no difference in materials could be discerned, but over the course of time, as weather conditions played their role, the dissimilarity became apparent.
Dove in the cleft of the rock on the Western Wall - Photo by Rimonah Traub
There are many cracks and clefts in the Kosel stones
that are used by birds as a nesting spot. Among the birds that come are
jackdaws, swallows, house sparrows and the common swift. Pigeons and doves
also abound. It is said that birds have a sixth sense for holiness, and
visitors to the Kosel Hama'aravi will notice the profusion of birds that
inhabit the area.
Doves on Barclay's Gate on the women's side of the Western Wall - photo by Rimonah Traub
Small lizards are also seen darting among the stones.
The rocks of the Western Wall support at least six distinct plants. Henbane is the most common plant found growing in the wall. Its Hebrew name is shikaron, a form of the word “drunkenness.” The name is thought to derive from the poisonous, intoxicating substance contained within the plant. The Egyptians smoked henbane to obtain relief from toothache, while the first hospitals in Eretz Yisrael utilized it as an anesthetic. Today, alkaloids derived from henbane are used in anti-spasm medications and painkillers.
The rocks of the Western Wall support at least six distinct plants. Henbane is the most common plant found growing in the wall. Its Hebrew name is shikaron, a form of the word “drunkenness.” The name is thought to derive from the poisonous, intoxicating substance contained within the plant. The Egyptians smoked henbane to obtain relief from toothache, while the first hospitals in Eretz Yisrael utilized it as an anesthetic. Today, alkaloids derived from henbane are used in anti-spasm medications and painkillers.
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| Thorny Capers growing on the Western Wall - photo by Rimonah Traub |
Podonosma orientalis called matsits suri in Hebrew is a typical rock plant and the second most common plant in the Wall. It is able to penetrate stone with its roots in order to extract water. The Sicilian snapdragon, called la ari sitsili, in Hebrew is often found on the higher sections of the Wall. This plant often roots in cracks between the stones of a wall and on fences. The Kosel is also host to the Horsetail knotgrass, called shvatvat anaf in Hebrew, which is mentioned in the Talmud (Shabbos 14) as an antidote for snakebite. Phagnalon, called in Hebrew tzamarnit haslayim, is a small plant that can also be found scattered along the Wall.
Varda Littmann lives in Jerusalem and has a column in Hamodia
and in the English Update. Her blog Let us Tour Eretz Yisroel can
be viewed at the following link: http://littmann613.blogspot.com/
Photographer Rimonah Traub's beautiful photos can be viewed
on her blog:
Lens on a Fertile Land - Israel Photography
http://israelcamerafocus.blogspot.com/
Lovely Josepha, well done
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