The Kotel, Judaism’s holiest site, is the Western Wall of the Jewish Temple. The Temple was built 3000 years ago by King Solomon and was destroyed by the Babylonians in the 4th century B.C.E. After the Persians conquered the Babylonians they allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in the 1st century C.E.
For two thousand years Jews have turned towards Jerusalem, towards the site of the destroyed Temple, when praying. According to Jewish tradition, God’s divine presence dwelled in the Temple while it stood.
Three times a day, Jews pray for the Temple to be rebuilt so that God can again dwell in our midst. In the Talmud it is written that anyone who prays at the Temple in Jerusalem “it is as if he has prayed before the throne of glory because the gate of heaven is situated there and it is open to hear prayer.