JERUSALEM: Letters to God are inserted in Jerusalem's Western Wall as the new year nears
- 00:02:55
- ITN Source
JERUSALEM: Letters to God are inserted in Jerusalem's Western Wall as the new year nears
Israel's Postal Authority has once again begun the arduous task of delivering letters addressed to God, or Jesus to Jerusalem's Western Wall. Hundreds of thousands of "Letters to God" arrive at the post office each year from all around the world, written by people seeking divine intervention. 'God - temple must be faithful', 'Jesus, Jesus, Jerusalem, Israel' or 'To - God, Jerusalem, Israel' were just some of the addresses on the letters that arrived at Israel's main postal office in Jerusalem. Each envelope is cut opened on its sides to make it easier to pull out the letter discreetly and insert it in the Wall. The letters have a special place in the sorting room - in mailboxes labelled "Letters to God" which are delivered to Jerusalem's chief Rabbi to insert them in the cracks in the Wall. "It's an old Jewish tradition but recently in the last few years we received hundreds of letters, mainly before the Jewish holidays Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur but also for Christmas and the New Years eve," explained Itzhak Rabihiya, Spokesperson for Israel's Postal Authority. The Western or Wailing Wall is Judaism's holiest site. Jews believe the stone wall is the last remainder of the holy Temple Mount, revered by Muslims as Haram el-Sharif. Jews from around the world write proper letters or scribble down wishes on a little note which they believe ascends to God, if they are placed in between the cracks of the ancient stones. With the holiday season approaching, the amount of letters addressed to divine recipients that arrive in Jerusalem, has seen a steady increase. Postal workers say letters are not only addressed to God during the Jewish holiday period - with Christmas and New Year's eve approaching, many are also addressed to Jesus.
ITN Source | December 17, 2005
