Monday evening marks the beginning of Tisha B'Av, to commemorate the loss of the First and Second Jerusalem Temples. Thousand came to the Western Wall of the Old City Jerusalem to remember the "Fast Day" and to never forget the significance of this day in history.
This day Jews remember the "mourning and despair" but within the sadness of today there is hope, that despite much suffering Judaism survives.
The Western Wall is the last standing wall of the Temple and the remnant which provides for a sense of hope, renewal and strength as one marks today as an opportunity for solace and for prayer at the beloved Temple site.
The Talmudic sages speak of the special nature of the Wall. Rabbi Acha stated that the "Shekhinah" Special Divine Presence of G-d will never depart from the Western Wall. The Midrash cites a quote from Solomon's Song of Songs, "Behold He stands behind our Wall." Song of Solomon 2:9
