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אוויר הרים צלול כיין

19 years ago
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by ck
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The Kotel at Night

Transliterated, the title of this post reads “Avir harim tsalul ka’yayin…” These are the opening words of Naomi Shemer’s song, Jerusalem of Gold. As soon as I hear that refrain, I immediately start to mist up. What can I say, I’m a softie that way. Last Tuesday, I accompanied a friend to the Kotel who wanted to go and say a prayer for a sick relative. Having no shortage of sick people in my life who needed prayers, the decision was a no-brainer. Also, I live within walking distance of the Kotel and I should go because… I can!

ck at the kotelIt was late and the mountain air was indeed clear as wine (just like the song!). Crispy cold too. The Kotel Plaza was deliciously deserted – even the small women’s section had available wall space. I went and davened Ma’ariv (evening prayers) with a small group at the wall and then I communed with the Shekhina and sent good wishes to all my loved ones and friends. It was a sublime experience and I felt bad for those who are too far away to share this with me.

Yet as I come today to sing to you, and to adorn you with crowns
I am not as worthy as your youngest child, or as the last of the poets
For your name will scorch my lips like a seraph’s kiss
if I forget thee, Jerusalem, golden in your entirety.

Sometimes, everything is just perfect. I hope to see you all here. Soon.

ck
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“Just because you're naked doesn't mean you're sexy. Just because you're cynical doesn't mean you're cool.”
― Tom Robbins

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6 Comments

  • Amen!

    Mia, I couldn’t have said it any better.
    Thanks for sharing the moment, ck. It’ll be a long time before I can ever be there, so I hope your words will last just as long…

  • I’ve always been moved by the words “do that to me one more time…” but hey, that just me.

  • Refuah shelemah to all those who require healing. And if we’re sharing song lyrics, I’ve always been moved by the closing words of “Hakotel”: “yesh anashim im lev shel even; yesh avanim im lev adam…(there are men who have hearts of stone, and then there are stones with the hearts of men).”

  • One of my favorite melodies ever! And when I’m in Jerusalem singing it, it’s so much sweeter!

  • I cannot think of anything more moving than the Kotel square, on a crisp cool evening. You are lucky to be so close, and your description made me long to be their too.