Yearly Tradition Continues at the Western Wall

JERUSALEM, Israel - Under the careful watch of Rabbis, workers poked into crevices between the ancient stones of the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Wednesday, removing countless handwritten notes placed there by visitors who believe their requests might find a way to God by being deposited at the holy site.

The removal of the notes is an annual tradition carried out ahead of the Passover festival.

Notes were scattered on the ground as workers swept them up. The notes are considered sacred and are stored elsewhere.

The Western Wall is revered by Jews as a remnant of their biblical Temple, and many people of all faiths come to the wall to pray and slip notes with requests between the ancient stones.