Kosel Rav Rabbi Rabinowitz’s Words to VP Pence Upon His Arrival at the Holy Site

Following is a synopsis of the statements made by the Rav of the Kosel and Holy Sites Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz Shlita when United States Vice President Mike Pence arrived at the Kosel on Tuesday, 7 Shevat.

147 years before you, Lincoln’s secretary of state, William Saward, visited here, finding out that there were 4,000 Muslims and 8,000 Jews living in the walls of Jerusalem at the time, and even then, under a hostile Ottoman-Muslim occupation, the Jews comprised most of the residents of Jerusalem.

But his most moving description is of his Friday night visit to the Kosel. He tells of a place where all the Jews of Jerusalem flock. About a sublime prayer, full of pain and longing, rarely seen.

This is how he wrote 147 years ago, and made the first connection to the deep connection of the United States of America and Jerusalem. Recently, we saw the fruits of this deep connection, when President Trump recognized, as he himself said, in an obvious sense: Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel. Since then – and forever.

Here, right above us, on the Temple Mount, King Solomon built the Temple. It was a unique building. His windows were built so that instead of putting the light in from outside – inside, they would take the light from inside – out. The light we want to bring into the world, Mr. Vice President, does not come from the outside – it comes from within. This is the secret that the ancient Jewish people have known throughout its long and ancient history, and this is the secret that has been living in the great nation of America since it was founded as a free country.

Our rabbis taught us – a little of the light repels much of the darkness. For us, the Jewish people and the citizens of Israel, the clear voice of the United States in the world is the voice of the triumph of light over darkness.

The light of Jerusalem is a light of love, a light of concern for world peace, a light of peace. Jerusalem was named after peace. Prayers for the peace of all the nations of the world were held in the Temple. For two thousand years, Jerusalem has swung from hand to hand, and only now, once it has returned to its sons, can all the nations and all faiths come to the Kosel and pray there again, and re-establish the ancient prophecy that “My house shall be called a house of prayer.” The Divine Presence never moved from this place.

In the name of the Jewish people, I thank you and President Trump for the courage to bring the light to the world, in the face of all darkness.