A sweltering heatwave gripped the Western Wall in Jerusalem, but faith triumphed over the 40°C temperatures in the shade. By the ancient stones, under the blazing mid-Av sun, men and women stood flushed and perspiring, yet did not complain about the extreme weather. Holding prayer books or Psalms, they poured out their hearts. The air was still, and some women tried to stir it with hand fans
At the nearby water fountain, its pipes hot to the touch, adults and children drank, splashed their faces, and filled small bottles. The Western Wall plaza was not overcrowded, but it was filled with sounds – prayers, joyful melodies, and the cheers of families celebrating bar mitzvahs, even at the peak of the heat
Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall – Even in Extreme Heat
Recently, like the rest of Israel, Jerusalem endured an intense heatwave. Temperatures ranged from 37°C to 40°C, with extreme heat stress. At the Western Wall, which welcomes visitors and worshippers from across Israel and the world, attendance did not drop significantly. On the contrary – events continued as planned: bar mitzvahs, balloon releases, shofar blasts, and endless prayers
A grandmother of one bar mitzvah boy handed out sweets to women in the women’s section, receiving blessings for health and congratulations for her grandson and the whole family. “Despite the heat, we never thought of canceling. We came from Beersheba – we’re used to the heat,” she told those around her. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. We brought water, hats, refreshments, lots of love for the Wall, and plenty of patience
Indeed, alongside the difficulty came a sense of spiritual elevation. Sitting in the shade with a friend, our faces dripping with sweat, the heart understood – the heat reinforced the feeling that everyone here was making a sacrifice for the spirit
Selichot at the Western Wall – Preparations Underway
Beneath the umbrellas, women in wide-brimmed hats and festive dresses crowded together, capturing the joy on camera. In these scorching moments, memories were being made to be preserved in albums. The resident pigeons preened their feathers and hopped from crack to crack in the sacred wall. The temperature could rise even higher, but they carried on as usual.
On the walls of the nearby Western Wall Yeshiva hung giant banners. Elul is approaching, and announcements already detail the schedule for Selichot prayers. On the 1st of Elul, at exactly 12:15 a.m., the first Selichot service will begin. Beneath the yeshiva’s roof, numerous ceiling fans whir continuously to keep worshippers comfortable during the prayers
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Extreme Heat in Jerusalem – Faith at the Western Wall Prevails
Despite the harsh summer conditions, the atmosphere at the Wall did not fade. The sounds of “David, King of Israel” from the men’s section and “Yismach Chatani” echoed with joy. The feeling among those present was one of calm acceptance in the face of nature’s forces. The Earth may fight back after the damage to its ozone layer, heating more and more, but at the Western Wall, in the late-August heat, it didn’t matter. The connection to tradition, to the place, and to the spirit was stronger than anything
Even in extreme heat, the Western Wall stands firm – not only physically, but as a focal point of faith that has endured for thousands of years and will not melt at 40°C. Faith remains steadfast, protected by the spirit. This is the secret of this sacred, magnetic place. Here, summer yields to prayer
