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Chairs beside the wall sheltered us from the sun that hot day. As we rested Adam told me that he wanted to take a pebble from the Wailing Wall. I was thinking how ridiculous and especially sacrileges it would be for him to take a piece of something so sacred to others when I spotted a rock. Adam tucked the rock in his pocket while others read aloud from scriptures in chairs and from behind pulpits. Next to us Hasidic Jews prayed passionately facing the wall. Their curly hair hung from dark hats beyond the point of sideburns on top of uniform white shirts and black suits.

We sat peacefully in the shade absorbing the atmosphere as those around us worshiped. Before we left, we reflected on the surroundings, touched the wall and felt its energy.