Does anyone know the origins of this tradition or legend that is often peddled by Israeli tour guides and many others that the Western Wall (Hakotel) was left by the Romans as some sort of reminder? Is the origin of this legend a mistaken identification of Hakotel with the order by Caesar (as reported by Josephus) to preserve the loftiest towers and a small portion of its western wall for his troops use and a testimony to their accomplishments? This western wall is obviously the outer western wall of the city and not Hakotel (a retaining wall of the Temple mount). This seems too silly and obvious of a mistake to be the origins of this legend.......but perhaps it is the origin of this legend? Alternatively, was Josephus reread through the lens of the midrashic literature about the western wall never being destroyed or these midrashim being read as historical fact and fulfilled prophecies?
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 06:15:51 +0000
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