The Western Wall, thought to be a part of the wall that surrounded Harod's Temple in the Old City in Jerusalem, receives prayers, requests and notes from visitors from around the world. Following Jewish mystical tradition, which says that prayers "ascend to Jerusalem to the Wall from where they then ascend to Heaven," the website makes it possible for people outside Israel to post their own message on the wall via email. The site shows an image of the wall that is refreshed every minute and allows Internet to send email containing whatever they might leave at the wall if they were in person.
The site is maintained by the Jewish outreach organization Aish HaTorah and offers a history of the wall, along with help with prayers, offering prayers for the sick, for times of trouble, for personal requests, gratitude, Jewish people and the Shema, the testimony of belief in one God.
Users can email their prayers and requests to Aish HaTorah, where they are printed out and placed in the wall by one of the group's students. Aish HaTorah explains the role of the Western Wall:
"The Wall is the symbol of the Jewish People -- just as there were many efforts to destroy the Wall, it stands eternal. Likewise, the Jewish People have outlived our enemies and stands eternal! "The organization requests an $18 contribution to cover the costs of remote request placing and to help fund their operations. In addition, the group offers sponsorship of their site to individuals and corporations.
Photo credits: David Rubinger for TIME