A Stone Speaks- The Voice of the Kotel

A Stone Speaks The Voice of the Kotel...Hardcover – November 15, 2014

by Israel Rubin  (Author)

Hardcover
This volume chronicles the history of the Western Wall [Kotel, or Ha-Kotel Ha’Ma’aravi, in Hebrew] as told by one of the huge stones that make up the Wall. It faces the plaza where Jews [and often non-Jews] from around the world come to pray or petition God[1].

 

This book is an outpouring of the flood of images that have filled my mind over the past twenty centuries. No camera has ever been invented that can capture all that I have seen and experienced.  I have encountered the full spectrum of happenings--- from the sad, heartbreaking and distressing to the happy, joyful and lively -- that have marked the years.  I have chronicled every episode and can verify to its authenticity. No, I did not take down notes, nor did I have the advantage that many of you now have to make a recording on tape, video or film.  There was never a need to.  I have been blessed with an extraordinary memory, as you shall soon see.  My powers of recall are staggering. With my recently acquired emotional literacy, I am now able to communicate these feelings as I relate the timeline that etched my existence almost since time immemorial. G-d directed Abraham to offer Isaac in sacrifice here. King David chose this city as his capital. His son, Solomon, built a magnificent Temple here, which was destroyed by the Babylonians. Ezra and Nehemia led the renewed Jewish presence here and rebuilt the Temple. Herod rebuilt the Temple to its glory - and then the Romans destroyed it, forbidding Jews from residing in their own capital.

Nevertheless, generation after generation, Jews did all they could to return here. Famous and not-so-famous Jews made the difficult journey here. Foreign empires were fascinated by this place - and attacked it often.

SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED HERE. IF ONLY STONES COULD SPEAK AND TELL THE STORIES OF THE WALL... 271 pages, Hard Covered Book. Published 2014 by Mosaica Press distributed by Feldheim Publishing Co.  

In this original, easy-to-read, and informative book, one of the stones of the Wall speaks to us, recounting stories, nuggets of history, and inspirational vignettes that together form the tapestry of the Wall. In this fascinating page-turner, readers experience history from the "inside". The history of the Wall becomes our story. The story of the Wall is the story of our People - and our lives.

 

[1]  God is used interchangeably with HaShem (The Name), which some prefer.