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If you have seen photos of the Western Wall in Jerusalem, you have probably noticed the thousands of tiny folded papers tucked between its stones. These are prayer notes, and the tradition behind them is centuries old. Here is what they are, what people write, what happens to them, and how to send a Wailing Wall prayer note if you cannot visit.
Western Wall, Wailing Wall or Kotel?
All three names refer to the same place: the remaining western retaining wall of the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. "Kotel" is the Hebrew word for wall. The English name "Wailing Wall" comes from the prayers of mourning that have been offered there for generations.
The tradition of the prayer note
Placing a written prayer in the cracks of the Wall is a custom that goes back at least several hundred years. The notes are often called "kvitlach" (singular: kvitel). Today, people of every background, Jewish, Christian and others, leave notes there. More than a million notes are placed every year.
What do people write?
Most notes are short and very personal:
• prayers for healing for a family member
• prayers for a child, a marriage or a new job
• thanks for a prayer that was answered
• the names of loved ones who have died
There is no required format. Write the way you would speak, and include names if the prayer is for someone.
What happens to the notes?
The notes are not thrown away. Twice a year, before Passover and before the Jewish New Year, they are carefully collected from the Wall and respectfully buried on the Mount of Olives.
How to send a note if you can't visit
You can write your prayer online with Jerusalem Holy Prayer. We print it in Jerusalem, fold it by hand, place it in the Western Wall and email you a dated photograph of your note at the Wall. You can also choose other holy sites at the same time.
We are a delivery service: the prayer is your own, and we do not pray on your behalf or promise any outcome.
